One of the bills that were pending discussion last year in the Senate is “On the Diplomatic, Consular, Administrative and Professional Service”, which aims to repeal Law 1335/99.
The congressmen of the Upper House approved it in general, but they had to deal with it in particular, during the last session of last year. However, after media and social pressure, Lilian Samaniego, project senator, decided to withdraw the document, so it must be dealt with in the coming weeks.
The initiative promoted by the national senator for the ANR was heavily mediated. Mainly because it establishes that officials enter through the political quota before the contest for the Foreign Ministry.
Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Former National Foreign Minister, said that it is increasingly important that an “army” of diplomacy professionals be present in the countries.
“In light of the evolution of the world, we increasingly need more experts in cyber security, in commercial economic negotiations and commercial promotion. Experts in opening markets. Precisely to be able to enter countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, where we only have concurrent ambassadors”, he explained.
Regarding the conflict that exists between politicians and diplomats regarding Lilian Samaniego’s bill, he stated that politicization is doing a lot of damage to the diplomatic service.
“This does not contribute to having the best professionals at the service of the nation. In addition, Paraguay, being an ally, at a time of great tension, has the authority to request better conditions of access to markets and not just participation, ”he explained.
GEOPOLITICS
There are limitations imposed by the United States on our country to be able to trade freely with China. For the analyst, Paraguay has the conditions to project itself as an economy that preserves principles and values.
“We must have a sense of what politics and ideology are. And on the other hand what is the market. And on the latter is where we should aim. We need to grow in exports, quality and volume”, he commented.
UNITED STATES
Finally, when asked about how our country can extend its sales to Asia without affecting relations with the United States, he stated that there should be an important dialogue, first. And understand that what we need most are markets more than cooperation.
“All this effort made in security, in the fight against money laundering, drug trafficking and promoting transparency is welcome. But, at the same time that this geopolitical effort is being made, there must be a balance to make relations with countries that do not have them”, he concluded.
