Ecuador finished the environmental cooperation with Germany and returns $ 8.5 million for funding

Chancellor Ricardo Patiño announced on Friday, December 19 the unilateral termination of German cooperation on environmental issues and the return of the funds received last year that are estimated at EUR 7 million (about $ 8.5 million).

Although he said that the Ecuador “value the concern of the German government for environmental issues,” he demandedrespect because he assured “that cooperation can not be given without respecting the sovereignty of countries.”

So he announced that the government of President Rafael Correa will make a formal offer to Angela Merkel for cooperation on issues of sovereignty and international law.

These statements of Patiño arise after the Environmental Commission of the German Parliament questioned Rafael Correa for denying its admission to Ecuador to meet with environmental organizations like Yasunidos and go to the area of Yasuni National Park to verify the environmental effects and oil exploitation.

Patiño reiterated that the German regime is welcomed as a friend, “but the doors are closed if they come as supervisors.”