This morning, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heraldo Muñoz, participated in the signing of an agreement between the Government of Chile and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) to make our country the regional headquarters of this international organization. The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Muñoz and Secretary General of IDEA, Yves Leterme.
The regional office of the institute for Latin America will relocate from San Jose, Costa Rica to Santiago, Chile. “I would like to express the satisfaction of the Government of Chile for IDEA International’s decision to establish its regional headquarters here in our country,” said Minister Muñoz.
The Secretary of State recalled that Chile joined IDEA International in 1995, when only five years had passed since the restoration of democracy. “It was a time when we needed international help in order to deepen our democracy,” he remarked.
He also made mention of the involvement of the Regional Director of the agency, Daniel Zovatto, in the Presidential Advisory Council against conflicts of interest, influence peddling and corruption.
The institute has advised our country recently in evaluating the state of democracy, and shared their knowledge of constitutional reform, political funding and voting abroad. “It is really a very important to reaffirm and strengthen our relationships and partnership with Chile,” said Yves Leterme.
IDEA is an intergovernmental organization which aims to support sustainable democracy worldwide, providing support to achieve more sustainable, effective and legitimate institutions and processes. Since 2010, Chile has been part of the rotating presidency of the Directive Committee of IDEA International.