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Ecuador |
Ecuador - Iran relations refer to foreign relations between Ecuador and Iran. During the presidencies of Rafael Correa and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 21st century relations between the two countries was strengthened. Amongst closer ties both countries established embassies in each other's capitals.
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The Venezuelan government, as represented by President Hugo Chavez, helped foster ties between Iran and Ecuador.[1]
In a December 2008 visit to Tehran, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa signed several agreements. Correa announced that both countries would open embassies in each other's capitals by January 2009.[2] As a result of the diplomatic conflict with Colombia over the raid of an alleged FARC camp in Ecuador, Correa is reported to have discussed the possibility of an arms deal with Iran.[3] As a member of ALBA, Correa participated in a joint declaration of support to the Iranian government in June 2009.
Due to the new approach in foreign policy under Correa, Ecuador looked to non-tradition partners for their arms supplies. While Ecuador was the first foreign country to buy arms for Indian weapons manufacturers, it also looked to Iran to procure armaments. Due to the 2008 Andean diplomatic crisis with Colombia, Correa said Ecuador had "a very serious problem on the northern border with Colombia, an irresponsible government that does not take care of its border. We need to equip ourselves… Iran can supply us and help us with credit."[4]
The termination of the American lease at Mantas meant Ecuador looked elsewhere for defense partners. Ecuadorian Defense Minister, Javier Ponce, said he sought to collaborate with Iran to help Ecuador develop its defense industry. "We have our own policies, our own geostrategic positions, and what interests us, with Iran for instance, is boosting information technology and our national defense strategies."[5]
Economic ties have grown during the Correa and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad administration. Like other states in Latin America, Iran has extended financing for a host of projects. Ecuador, in turn, has become the primary importer of Iranian products having replaced Peru. Trade between the two went from a paltry $8m to $168m from 2007 to 2008.[6]
In 2009, Iran provided a USD40 million loan to Ecuador to help finance the building of two power plants. [7]
In a 2010 visit to Iran, the Ecuadorian Vice President, Lenin Moreno, signed an agreement with his Iranian counterparts to construct three hydroelectric centers using Iranian technology.[8] He also affirmed Iranian support for the Ecuadorian Yasuni-ITT program to receive international funds in order not to transition to sustainable energy.
Ecuador and Iran have also cooperated in the port, agriculture and auto industries.[9]
In 2010, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) named both Ecuador and Iran as countries failing to comply with international regulations against money laundering and financing terrorism. It said Ecuador had not "constructively engaged" with the body and was "not committed" to global standards on money crimes. Correa was quick to condemn the move: "What arrogance! And why? Because we have relations with Iran. That's it. This is imperialism in its most base form. ... This has nothing to do with the struggle against money laundering[10] or the fight against the funding of terrorism… It has to do with that we have an embassy in Iran. So because we have misbehaved. They are giving us a smack so we don't misbehave. [It is] hypocritical punishment. Instead of revising themselves, they condemn us. There is no money laundering here my friends. There is no terrorism, and no funding of terrorism. Imagine if he had money to fund terrorism, I wish I had money to build all the schools that I want to build.[11] "We have been blacklisted along with Iran, Ethiopia, Angola and North Korea. We are the financiers of terrorism in the world!” Correa said indignantly. He added “it's a stick so you don't misbehave, naughty boy. You didn't do what I said, don't get involved with Iran. So because you went ahead, we'll put you on the blacklist, that's all." He asked why no pressure was added on rich countries like the United States and Switzerland over money laundering in their financial systems. He also added that Ecuador's bank had adequate legislation to protect from laundering and terrorism financing and called the report "a huge lie."
Meanwhile, Ecuador's private bank association also said the Iran factor was behind the country's inclusion on the FATF list citing a 2009 agreement between Ecuador's Central Bank and some Iranian financial institutions. However, Ecuador maintained its ties with Iran would not change.[12]
The Ecuadorian central bank President, Diego Borja, also traveled to the USA to dispel concerns about the Iranian central bank's plans to deposit 40 million euros with Ecuador’s central bank.[13]
Despite US pressure, Correa affirmed commitment to the relationship saying "we [Ecuadorians] have nothing against Iran. Iran has done nothing to us." He later said "[we are] not going to stop getting closer to Iran because (the United States) has it on a black list." Ecuador also affirmed support, along with various other international pariah states, for Iran's nuclear programme.[6]
After an attempted coup on Correa in 2010, the two countries signaled intentions to deepen ties.
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