Santo Domingo.- The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, Roberto Álvarez; from Costa Rica, Arnoldo André Tinoco, and from Panama, Erika Mouynes, held a working meeting in Los Angeles, California, with their counterpart from Canada, Mélanie Joly, during which they presented a joint statement focused on strengthening of this alliance Yet the Canadian cooperation.

Below is the full text of that statement:

Foster strategic dialogue between Canada and members of the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD).

Canada, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Panama, members of the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD), we confirm our shared commitment to establishing a strategic dialogue to ensure continued collaboration to promote inclusive economic growth and strengthen democracy in our hemisphere. This is in line with the Alliance Presidents’ statement in Puerto Plata on December 11, on the need for Alliance Ministers to set priorities at the highest level with strategic partners.

We affirm our shared commitment to a rules-based international order, democracy, human rights, gender equality, climate action, inclusive growth and sustainable post-pandemic recovery in the Americas.

We recognize the need to promote inclusive economic growth and a green transition in the region and understand that our goals in this area require collective action in the region. An inclusive and sustainable recovery from the pandemic can be facilitated by deepening our trade relationships, promoting increased trade and investment flows, and increasing investment in education and skills development. .

We pledge to work together to address democratic challenges and prevent the erosion of democracy in our hemisphere.

We recognize that the rule of law, freedom of the media and the independence of the judiciary are essential for the stability of economies and democracies and for attracting foreign investment.

We express our condemnation of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and recognize the vulnerabilities, including food insecurity and inflation, that have been exacerbated in our hemisphere as a result of this crisis.

Therefore, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Panama:

● Collaborate and maintain political dialogue on key foreign policy issues.

● Work to strengthen cooperation around common issues facing the hemisphere, including through joint initiatives and support for inclusive and participatory solutions.

● Seek possible opportunities for collaboration to address the effects of climate change.

● Explore how to strengthen trade and investment ties between us to support an inclusive and sustainable economic and health recovery from the pandemic.

● Work closely to strengthen inclusive democratic societies by protecting civic space, media freedom and gender equality, and promoting freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association and freedom of religion or belief.

To strengthen our strategic dialogue, we have agreed that Canada will host a meeting on democracy in the Americas in the coming months.