2024-07-27 21:44:14
The Foreign Minister of the Republic, Gabriela Sommerfeld, explained this Friday, in an interview with Teleamazonas, that the case of the Mexican embassy is being resolved in the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where Mexico filed a lawsuit against Ecuador, which was unanimously denied by the judges of the court. In addition, she mentioned that there are two pending lawsuits between both countries that will be resolved in the future.
As for the conflict with Russia, Sommerfeld clarified that these are two separate issues: one related to phytosanitary matters and the other to a shipment of weapons that was identified as being destined for a third country. “The President of the Republic made the right decisions to safeguard the interests of the country,” he said, emphasizing that these issues were clarified at the time by the Russian ambassador.
On the other hand, Sommerfeld pointed out that the National Assembly has the function of supervising and ensuring that institutions and public servants fulfill their duties. “It is totally valid and we will gladly render accounts and defend what has been done,” said the Chancellor. She emphasized her commitment to transparency and the defense of the sovereignty, dignity and independence of the Ecuadorian State, in accordance with the Organic Law of Foreign Service.
The foreign minister also responded to criticism from the National Assembly regarding the handling of the kidnapping of an Ecuadorian family in Mexico. Sommerfeld stressed that the Foreign Ministry, in coordination with missions in Phoenix, Houston and Guatemala, managed to free the kidnapped family in Chihuahua. However, she regretted that the National Assembly urged the Foreign Ministry to act without having read the official statements regarding the successful release.
When questioned about possible political motivations behind her impeachment in the Assembly, Sommerfeld was clear: “I am not in charge of politics. I have very clear functions and I will never assume duties that are not my responsibility.” She reiterated her commitment to serve Ecuadorians abroad and strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations.
On the migration crisis, Sommerfeld urged citizens not to be fooled by organized crime groups that traffic people and children. “Ecuador is working hard to provide education and create more jobs,” he said, stressing that the problem of irregular migration is regional and requires the cooperation of all Latin American countries and the United States.
Finally, Sommerfeld highlighted the government’s progress in the digitalization of consular services, such as the issuance of visas and electronic apostilles, which can now be managed in minutes from anywhere in the world. “This is great news from a government that came to solve Ecuador’s problems,” he concluded.