Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sánchez and IDEA Secretary-General Vidar Helgesen
As part of a visit to several Latin American countries, International IDEA’s Secretary-General Vidar Helgesen met with Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sánchez on 4 October in San José, to discuss democratization trends in Latin America and how IDEA’s work could support this process in the region.
Costa Rican Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno, Congressional President Francisco Antonio Pacheco and IDEA Director for the Latin America Programme, Daniel Zovatto, were also present.
Costa Ricans analysts stress that although the country has long been considered among Latin America’s most stable and vibrant democracies, Costa Rica is now experiencing growing discontent from its citizens about public life. The party system is threatened, funding of political parties is questioned, and opinion is divided concerning the question of the Central American Free trade Agreement (CAFTA). Costa Rica is the only Central American country that has not joined this trade agreement with the United States. Recent scandals involving three former presidents have deepened this crisis. A consensus is building in the country as to how these challenges should be addressed. The current electoral reform that the country is undergoing is an example of tackling these issues.
Issues discussed were Cuba, the peace process in Colombia, and the upcoming elections in Nicaragua and Ecuador. On domestic politics, President Arias Sánchez addressed the issue of free trade in the context of CAFTA, an issue of contention between the two major parties in the 2006 presidential campaign.
Mr. Helgesen stressed that around the world, democracy building faces new challenges due to increasing international polarization and the wave of globalization. He said there must be avenues for dialogue and ways of supporting home-grown democratization efforts so that democratization is not seen as imposed from outside.
During his visit in Costa Rica, Mr Helgesen also met with Ottón Solís, the leader of the opposition, Oscar Fonseca, President of the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (Supreme Tribunal for Elections), the President of the Inter-American Institute for Human Rights and the dean of the University for Peace.
See also an interview with IDEA's Secretary-General Vidar Helgesen in the Costa Rican newspaper La Nacion.
