Rio Group Summit meeting opens amid Andean diplomatic conflict

Source: Xinhua | 03-08-2008 07:56

SANTO DOMINGO, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Dominican Republic's President Leonel Fernandez inaugurated on Friday the 20th Rio Group Summit meeting, calling for strengthening the development of energy and resolving regional problems.

Heads of state and delegations wave during the taking of the official photo at the 20th Group of Rio Summit at the foreign ministry in Santo Domingo March 7, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The summit's theme is energy, development and natural disasters, although the diplomatic conflict triggered by Colombia's military incursion into Ecuadorian territory on Saturday is another important issue.

In his opening speech, Fernandez stressed the need to promote energy saving and rational use policies and the use of clean energy.

Presidents (L-R top) Martin Torrijos of Panama, Tony Saca of El Salvador, Rafael Correa of Ecuador, (L-R bottom) Cristina Fernandez of Argentina, Felipe  Calderon of Mexico and Leonel Fernandez of the  Dominican Republic pose for their group photo at the  20th Group of Rio Summit at the foreign ministry in  Santo Domingo March 7, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

He also stated the importance of Rio Group's unity, in reference to the diplomatic conflict of Colombia with Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

The summit "grants us the extraordinary opportunity to consolidate relations between our people, strengthen the cooperation actions and strengthen the consensus positions," said Fernandez.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gestures as he arrives for the 20th Group of Rio Summit plenary session at the foreign ministry in Santo Domingo March 7, 2008.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Before the opening of the summit which started one hour plus late, Fernandez met with Venezuelan Hugo Chavez and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to seek a consensus in the Santo Domingo declaration on the Andean conflict.

Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela have asked Rio Group to strongly condemn Colombia for its military incursion into Ecuadorian territory.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei