Ecuador will not sign free trade agreements because they are not intended for development http://www.telesurtv.net/noticias/secciones/nota/72035-NN/ecuador-no-firmara-tratados-de-libre-comercio-porque-no-estan-destinados-al-desarrollo/

Ecuador's foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, said Monday that his country is not  willing to sign free trade agreements (FTAs) with the European Union (EU), because it is not their priority, because they are agreements that are not intended for development. From Madrid, where he started the Sixth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) with the foreign ministers' meeting, Patino said that historically it has shown the world that no country has developed unless  in protecting its goods industry and so it is important to put first development before trade." 

"We do not believe in free trade agreements, we believe in agreements for development, comprehensive development agreements," said the minister. Clarifiying that  Ecuador does not refuse to sell to countries, because FDI is a part of development, but the government's priority isn't to sign FTA with blocks like the EU. Europe is gripped by a severe crisis caused by the economic decline of Greece, which has prompted many countries in the bloc to impose conservation measures to reduce excessive public spending. Immigrants should be respected

Patino announced that his country will make a request to the northern countries respect the international convention of the rights of immigrants and their families have in the world, which was signed at the United Nations Organization 20 years ago. The application is about the controversy about anti-immigration law signed in Arizona, (southern U.S.) that gives rise to the state police to arrest any person who is undocumented or being processed. "We must move towards a leadership in the mobility of respecting and putting human beings before capital mobility. We must promote the migration and respect the rights they have," he said.