US Reaffirms Relations with El Salvador

Three days after the Salvadoran presidential elections, President of the United States Barack Obama and  Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon reaffirmed the close relations between the United States and El Salvador.

President Barack Obama called Salvadoran President elect Mauricio Funes to congratulate him and to express his desire to maintain the positive bilateral relations that exist between the two countries.

Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon arrived in El Salvador on Wednesday afternoon and held meetings with President Elías Antonio Saca, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marisol Argueta de Barillas, former presidential candidate Rodrigo Avila, and President elect Mauricio Funes.

“The most important thing is to highlight our countries’ common interests and to guarantee good relations between people who are willing to cooperate and get good results. We want to be partners with El Salvador, we consider there is good faith and we are willing to work together”, said Assistant Secretary Shannon.

Shannon covered a wide range of topics with President Saca and Foreign Minister Argueta.  Among the issues discussed was the participation of President Saca and President elect Mauricio Funes in the upcoming Summit of the Americas, to take place in Trinidad on April 17 to 19.

During his meeting with President –elect Funes, Shannon reiterated the desire to work with Funes to further strengthen the solid relationship between the two countries.   Funes expressed his desire to work with the US on a wide range of issues that are key for both governments. Mauricio Funes will take office on June 1.