Close of the Dominican chairmanship of the Permanent Council

Before closing this regular meeting of the Permanent Council, I wished, on behalf of the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the Organization of American States (OAS), to thank everyone for the cooperation, the patience and the contributions you have offered over these three months to bring this chairmanship to a successful conclusion. I believe that today we hold the last regular meeting of the Permanent Council of the year. Let us hope that all remains calm and that we do not have to convene any special meeting of the Permanent Council. I also thank you for your support and participation in the parallel events we have held over the last three months, and I believe that, as a final reflection, it has become clear what we are capable of doing when we plan in good time, organize ourselves and give everyone participation and a voice in building the agendas and planning the meetings.

I believe this has been an exercise that, for the first time, lays the foundations for us to continue building upon it. Personally, I also feel very honored and very grateful for the kind words you have offered me, both now in public and in private.

Many thanks to all once again. I also thank the General Secretariat for the truly titanic work of organizing and responding to each of the proposals, needs and requirements of our meetings. I would have liked to complete all the tasks we set ourselves, but I believe we have achieved about 95% of what we planned and of what I discussed with all of you from the beginning of September. So, very well, I thank you once again.