Closer ties with Guatemala

The Guatemalan vice president said, "It is not simply about becoming a shareholder in an organization in a search for financing options. It is a geopolitical signal which denotes that Central America should look south, toward Latin America, because historically the region has focused inwardly and looked to the north."

On the forthcoming entry of Guatemala as CAF shareholder, García said, "Today's signing is part of the process of closer ties between CAF and Guatemala, a union which results from the Guatemalan government’s efforts, based on regional integration, and which is in absolute harmony with the mission of our institution." The CAF president said that this was an important step toward Guatemala’s subscription to the Corporation’s share capital in the near future, and that these actions had been confirmed in recent conversations with President-elect Álvaro Colom. "It is one more example of the integrationist and bridging role that the Corporation plays in the region."

Garcia added that it was in the Corporation's interest to take advantage of the experience acquired by this Central American country in the fields of regional integration and sustainable development, and that the similar priorities of both parties in the geographical, economic, financial, commercial, social and cultural areas would facilitate this process.

Eduardo Stein gave a presentation in the CAF Auditorium on Guatemala in the Central American and Latin American integration process, in which he explained the progress made by the country he represents.