Following is Ambassador Schwab's statement
regarding the outcome of the CAFTA referendum, issued October
8, 2007:
"The United States welcomes the outcome
of the Costa Rican referendum on the free trade agreement
that Costa Rica signed with the Dominican Republic, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the United States (CAFTA-DR).
"We believe, and history confirms,
that countries that open their markets have greater success
in generating economic growth and development. We are pleased
that Costa Rica will be joining the other CAFTA-DR countries
in reaping the benefits of greater regional economic integration
and market opportunities that the CAFTA-DR provides.
"We look forward to working
with the Government of Costa Rica as it completes the necessary
steps to implement the agreement, so that the CAFTA-DR can
enter into force for Costa Rica as soon as possible."
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