Energy Sovereignty on Table in Ecuador

Quito, Aug 7 (Prensa Latina) The Ecuadorian Congress met in extraordinary session Tuesday in a second and last debate over an energy sovereignty bill against smuggling and illegal oil traffic.

After the Legislature rejected the bill June 19, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa sent it back to them in July, and insisted on the need to reinforce punishment against fuel traffic.

Shortly before the beginning of debates, Ecuadorian Oil and Mining Minister Galo Chiriboga urged deputies to approve it, telling them this legislation would save Ecuador more than 700 million dollars lost because of the smuggling.

The deputies are also discussing another bill concerning public institutions and indigenous people to institutionalize organizations that have worked by executive decree for 10 years.