The new Permanent Representative of Paraguay to the Organization of American States (OAS), Raúl Florentín, today presented his credentials to the Secretary General of the hemispheric Oganization, Luis Almagro, during a ceremony held at the Organization's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
In his speech, Ambassador Florentín stressed that his representation will focus on "the defense of democracy and the rule of law, the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms in addition to strengthening good relations of friendship and cooperation with the member states and permanent observers." Likewise, he recognized the "great challenge that lies ahead" as his country is the host of the OAS General Assembly that will take place in Asunción between June 26 and 28 under the theme "Integration and Security for the Sustainable Development of the Region." "The success of the next General Assembly will, without a doubt, be a powerful message and a palpable example of everything we can achieve when our countries work together in a constructive, open and inclusive manner, having dialogue and negotiations in good faith as our best tools," he concluded.
For his part, Secretary General Luis Almagro highlighted that Ambassador Florentín "represents a very important country within our Organization, having been one of the signatory states of the creation of the OAS in 1948 and that has honored the fulfillment of our fundamental pillars, represented by the promotion and strengthening of democracy, human rights, hemispheric security and integral development." And regarding the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers, the OAS leader recalled that "this will be the third time in which our annual meeting will be held in Asunción, the first time being in 1990 and the second in 2014. We express our gratitude to Paraguay, to its President Santiago Peña, to its Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez and now also to you for receiving us at our most important meeting of the year," he concluded.
Ambassador Florentín has served as ambassador in Japan and Germany and has also been Minister Chargé d'Affaires in Switzerland and Trade Advisor in Germany and Washington D.C.
Reference: FNE-144053
