that those initiatives and other measures of economic co-operation would contribute to achieving the goals of political stability and social peace.” 42. Long ago I had the good fortune of participating in the co-ordination and promotion of the Central Ameri- can Common Market, and I am therefore in a position to say that the unity of the Central American countries at that time made it possible in a short time not only to increase tenfold intrazonal trade but also to achieve increased rates of economic and social development in all those countries. Such au accomplishment would be almost impossible in the present circumstances. 43. How much better than painful confrontation is co- operation among countries that are so alike and have shared interests, 44. Colombia always defends peace. Our belief in the need for dialogue as an irreplaceable means of achieving understanding and peaceful coexistence moved the Min- ister for External Relations of my country, in his address on the occasion of Colombia’s admission to the Move- ment of Non-Aligned Countries, to refer to the delicate situation in Central America in the following terms: “On the basis of these deliberations, and following a careful study of the Central American crisis, we cor- dially invited the countries of the region that are directly concerned to seek through dialogue and nego- tiations formulas that would make it possible to re- store internal harmony and regional peace. “We were emphatic in condemning any foreign interference, and we warned against the dangers of placing the conflict in the political framework of East- West relations. With equal conviction we asked the countries that are directly or indirectly involved to refrain from any act that may worsen the situation.” He stressed: “We believe that to the extent that a certain detente 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of economic cooperation among countries, specifically in Central America, to achieve political stability and social peace. It references a previous experience with the Central American Common Market and highlights the benefits of unity among countries with shared interests.

**Category**
International trade, Economic development