Colombia, Ecuador to restore diplomatic ties
Saturday, 07 Jun 2008 11:44
Ties between Colombia and Ecuador were strained after a cross-border raid in March
Colombia and Ecuador are set to restore ties strained by a cross-border raid in March that raised tensions in the region.
Ecuador broke ties with its south American neighbour after Colombia conducted an unauthorised operation to target rebels hiding in Ecuador.
A top FARC commander Raul Reyes and other armed members of the Colombian rebel movement were killed in the raid which Ecuador denounced as a violation of its sovereignty.
Former US president Jimmy Carter has been mediating between the two sides which have now agreed to restore low-level ties.
Ecuador's foreign minister Isabel Melchor has confirmed that ties at the charge d'affaires level would be resumed.
The crisis in March resulted in both countries sending troops to their borders. It was defused following an emergency regional summit of the Organisation of American States.