A/RES/56/224 freedoms, respect for minorities and the satisfaction of the basic needs of the most vulnerable groups among the peoples in the region, issues which have been a primary source of tension and conflict and which deserve to be discussed with the same urgency and dedication as was the case in the settlement of armed conflicts, Considering with concern that it has not yet been possible to overcome the devastating effects of hurricanes Mitch and Keith on certain countries of the region, which are causing setbacks in the progress made by the peoples and Governments of Central America, a situation which is aggravated by the earthquakes in El Salvador and the drought afflicting the entire region in 2001, especially Honduras and Nicaragua, Emphasizing the solidarity of the international community with the victims of Hurricane Mitch, as demonstrated by the Stockholm Declaration, 4 the subsequent meetings of the Regional Consultative Group for the transformation and modernization of Central America and, in particular, by the meeting of the Group, held in Madrid on 8 and 9 March 2001, at which the requirements of the Central American countries affected by natural disasters, including the earthquakes in El Salvador early in 2001, were considered, Bearing in mind the efforts made by the Central American Governments to reduce the risks and mitigate the consequences of natural disasters in the region, as demonstrated by the adoption, by the Presidents of the Isthmus, of the Declaration of Guatemala II of 19 October 1999, 5 the subsequent adoption of the Strategic Framework for the Reduction of Vulnerability and Disasters in Central America, as well as the adoption of the Central American Five-Year Plan for the Reduction of Vulnerability to and the Impact of Disasters, 2000 to 2004, 1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Central America;6 2. Commends the efforts of the peoples and the Governments of the Central American countries to re-establish peace and democracy throughout the region and promote sustainable development by implementing the commitments adopted at the summit meetings in the region, and supports the decision of the Presidents that Central America should become a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development; 3. Reaffirms the need to continue to improve the electoral processes that have been taking place in Central America, which are conducive to the consolidation of democracy in the region; 4. Recognizes the need to continue to follow closely the situation in Central America according to the objectives and principles established in the Stockholm Declaration 4 in order to support national and regional efforts to overcome the underlying causes that have led to armed conflicts, avoid setbacks and consolidate peace and democratization in the area and promote the objectives of the Alliance for the Sustainable Development of Central America; 5. Takes note with satisfaction of the results of the meeting of the Regional Consultative Group for the transformation and modernization of Central America _______________ 4 See www.iadb.org. A/54/630, annex. 6 A/56/416. 5 3