-8- AG/DEC. 40 (XXXIV-O/04) DECLARATION ON RESPECT FOR REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY IN ECUADOR (Adopted at the fourth plenary session, held on June 8, 2004) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, CONSIDERING: That the basic components of the inter-American system include the strengthening of representative democracy, stability, and development of the region; That good governance is a shared responsibility of the government in the exercise of its power, of political parties, and of civil society in general, and involves an obligation for authorities to be accountable and thereby optimize transparency; and That the Inter-American Democratic Charter constitutes a code of conduct for the states of the Hemisphere, one that gives rise to a collective obligation for them to support one another mutually in order to maintain and respect the democratic system in the region, DECLARES to support the initiative by the Government of Ecuador to continue the process of dialogue with all political, social, and economic sectors so that it may contribute to strengthening democratic institutions and foster economic and social development, as well as its support for the efforts of the Government and people of Ecuador aimed at consolidating the democratic institutional framework in the country.