Central American Presidents yesterday congratulated Costa Rica on voting in favor of the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) in a nationwide referendum Sunday.

At press time, the Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) had counted 98% of votes, 51.6% of which were “yes” votes and 48.3% were “no” votes. Before Sunday, Costa Rica was the only signatory country that had not ratified the trade pact and the only one to do so via popular referendum.

Guatemalan President Oscar Berger yesterday congratulated Costa Ricans on their decision to support CAFTA in statements made in the daily Diario de Centroamérica.

He said Costa Rica approving CAFTA will help Central America in its negotiation of a trade agreement with the European Union. Regional integration is important in negotiations for this agreement, which are expected to begin Oct. 22, he said.

El Salvador's government seconded Berger's congratulatory words.

Costa Rica's decision “demonstrates that the region continues being a solid block with a vision of shared development that offers the necessary conditions to work in an integrated manner,” said a statement from Salvadoran Economy Minister Yolando Mayora de Gavidia.

The “yes” victory in Sunday's referendum “will facilitate the attraction of investment and increase confidence in the region, which is especially important considering a globalized world that's more and more competitive,” she said.