JOINT COMMUNIQUE

At the cordial invitation of the Honourable Wilfred P. Elrington, Minister of

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize, H.E. Hugo Roger Martinez Bonilla,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of El Salvador, conducted an Official
visit to Belize on 6th and 7th April 2011.

This visit marks a historic milestone in the bilateral relations of both countries,
since it is the first time that a Foreign Minister from El Salvador carries out an
official visit to Belize of this nature.

Within the framework of the visit, Minister Martinez held important meetings with
the Honourable Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize, and with the Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Honourable Wilfred Elrington, during
which they discussed impotent bilateral topics, as well as regional and international
issues.

In the spirit of friendly relations and cooperation that exist between both countries
based on shared values of mutual respect, and the fundamental principles of peace
and democracy, protection and promotion of human rights and the shared
aspirations of achieving higher levels of development and betterment of the living
conditions of their peoples.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and El Salvador agreed as follows:

1. Both Ministers agreed that this historic visit represents the beginning of a
new era in the bilateral relations of both countries, which consolidates
and builds on the values of past experiences and shared responsibilities.

2. Both Ministers highlighted the importance of the Belize - EI Salvador

Bi-National Commission, created in 2001, which is the platform for
coordination and bilateral discussions in which the general guidelines for
cooperation are defined. In this regard they agreed to have the meeting of
the Commission, as soon as possible.

3. The Ministers discussed the importance of enhancing trade and

investment between both countries and to start the discussions for the
negotiation of a Partial Scope Agreement that will take into consideration
the asymmetries between the economies of Belize and El Salvador. For
his part, Minister Martinez committed to promote, that the respective
national institution in El Salvador evaluate and coordinate with the
corresponding authorities in Belike with the view of negotiating and
signing said Partial Scope Agreement.
4. In the spirit of enhancing trade and investment the Ministers agreed to
explore mechanisms for the private sectors of Belize and EI Salvador to
engage in dialogue to identify greater trade and investment opportunities,

5. The Ministers considered as very important the strengthening of the

bilateral cooperation relations in areas of mutual interest. In this regard,
they agreed that the entities responsible for cooperation within both
Ministries will coordinate and establish a road map that will lead to the
negotiation and signing of a Framework Technical Cooperation
Agreement.
6. Both Ministers agreed on the need to expand education opportunities for
youths and committed to engaging in negotiations of a bilateral
Education Agreement, to include areas such as scholarships, exchange of
professors, cooperation between universities and the study of English and
Spanish as a second language.

7. Both Ministers highlighted the impotent role of the agriculture and

tourism sectors and agreed to explore mechanisms to further develop
these industries, including the exchange of best practices. In this regard
they recognized the impedance that the agriculture sector plays in
providing food security for their peoples and committed to work together
to explore ways to increase trade and commercial opportunities for the
agriculture sectors of both countries.

8. Both Ministers recognized Belize as a role model for peace and

development in the resettlement and assimilation of communities from
Central America and their peaceful and prosperous integration into the
Belizean society over the last two decades, and recognized the important
contribution of these communities to the economic development of
Belize. In this regard, they recognized the importance of their Diasporas
and committed to finding mechanism to promote and protect their human
rights and ensure their well being in their countries of residence.

9. Both Ministers agreed on the impedance of registering their nationals

abroad in order to engage with their Diasporas wherever they may be and
to expand linkages and institute national programmes through their
respective Embassies and Consulates to provide adequate services and
assistance to their nationals.

10. Both Ministers agreed to promote the necessary actions to support

repatriation processes in a more agile and safe way, for the humane
treatment of returnees.

11. The Ministers agreed to join efforts to promote mechanisms that will
ensure juridical security and full integration of their nationals into the
societies of the countries where they residence.

12. The Ministers highlighted the impedance of combating human

trafficking and the illegal smuggling of migrants, since these are crimes
that threaten humanity and require joint efforts to combat, prevent and
above all provide the necessary attention to victims of such crimes. In
this regard, they committed to negotiate and sign a Memorandum of
Understanding for the Protection of victims of this scourge, as well as to
unite efforts at the regional level so that within the framework of the
Coalitions, Committees and Boards that combat trafficking in persons, or
any other efforts on this subject, regional actions can be taken.

13 On regional issues, both Ministers reiterated their firm commitment

advance the Central American Integration Process. Both Ministers
committed to working together in support the initiatives and activities of
the Presidency' Pro-Tempore of the Central American Integration System
(SICA) that EI Salvador will assume during the second half of 2011.
 Both Ministers recognized the important role that Belize plays as a link
between CARICOM and Central America and committed to working
together to supped the interest of the Government of El Salvador to host a
SICA - CARICOM Summit of Heads of State and Government, during
its Presidency Pro-Tempore.

14. Both Ministers highlighted the joint efforts carried out with the
framework of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), and agreed to
continue to carry out actions of common interest that will allow for the
strengthening of relations between their countries and the Caribbean in
general.

15. Both Ministers discussed the objectives of the XLI Ordinary Session of
the General Assembly of the OAS that will take place in San Salvador,
from 5th - 7th June 2011; the XVII Inter-American Conference of Ministers
of Labour that will be held in San Salvador from 21st – 23rd September 2011
XIX Inter-American Congress on Tourism that will be held on 29th and 30th
September 2011. Both Ministers committed to working together to ensure a
fruitful outcome of these very important meetings.

16. Both Ministers acknowledge the important work carried out by the
Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) in the region.
In this regard, they committed to working together to explore
mechanisms for the Government of EI Salvador to exchange know-how
with the CCCCC in areas of Climate Change.

Minister Martinez expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Belize
for the courtesies provided during the visit that contributed to the success of the
same.

Signed in Belize City, Belize on 6th April 2011

Hon. Wilfred P. Elrington Hugo Roger Martinez Bonilla

Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister of Foreign Affairs
And Foreign Trade of Belize of the Republic of El Salvador