← Environmental Law Center← Centro de Derecho Ambiental
Res. 21644-2018 Sala Constitucional · Sala Constitucional · 21/12/2018
OutcomeResultado
The Constitutional Chamber answered the consultation finding no substantial defects of form or substance in the bill.La Sala Constitucional evacuó la consulta sin encontrar vicios sustanciales de forma ni de fondo en el proyecto de ley.
SummaryResumen
The Constitutional Chamber reviewed the mandatory legislative consultation on the bill to approve the Memorandum of Understanding on ecotourism cooperation between Costa Rica and the Commonwealth of Dominica. The Court examined the legislative procedure followed in file No. 19.453 and found no substantial defects of form or substance. The Chamber verified that the bill was submitted by the Executive Branch, published, and that the relevant institutions (ICT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MINAE, MIDEPLAN) were given a hearing; it was unanimously approved by the committee and in the first plenary debate. The Court also considered that the instrument complies with the principles and norms of international law that respect the Costa Rican legal system. The consultation was answered with no constitutional objections.La Sala Constitucional examinó la consulta legislativa preceptiva sobre el proyecto de ley para aprobar el Memorándum de Entendimiento en cooperación en ecoturismo entre Costa Rica y la Mancomunidad de Dominica. El Tribunal revisó el procedimiento legislativo seguido en el expediente Nº 19.453 y determinó que no se produjo ningún vicio sustancial de forma ni de fondo. La Sala constató que el proyecto fue remitido por el Poder Ejecutivo, publicado, se dio audiencia a las instituciones pertinentes (ICT, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, MINAE, MIDEPLAN) y fue aprobado por unanimidad en la comisión y en primer debate del Plenario. Asimismo, consideró que el instrumento se ajusta a los principios y normas del derecho internacional que respetan el ordenamiento jurídico costarricense. La consulta fue evacuada sin objeciones constitucionales.
Key excerptExtracto clave
This mandatory legislative consultation on constitutionality is answered in the sense that, due to the processing of the bill entitled "APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON ECOTOURISM COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA," legislative file No. 19.453, no substantial defect of form or substance has occurred. Let it be communicated.Se evacua esta consulta legislativa preceptiva de constitucionalidad, en el sentido de que con motivo del trámite del proyecto de ley denominado “APROBACIÓN DEL MEMORÁNDUM DE ENTENDIMIENTO EN COOPERACIÓN EN ECOTURISMO ENTRE EL GOBIERNO DE LA REPÚBLICA DE COSTA RICA Y EL GOBIERNO DE LA MANCOMUNIDAD DE DOMINICA”, expediente legislativo Nº 19.453, no se ha producido ningún vicio sustancial de forma ni de fondo. Comuníquese.
Pull quotesCitas destacadas
"este Tribunal no determinó que se hubiera producido durante su trámite, vicio alguno en el procedimiento."
"this Court did not find that any procedural defect had occurred during its processing."
Considerando III
"este Tribunal no determinó que se hubiera producido durante su trámite, vicio alguno en el procedimiento."
Considerando III
"la Sala no encuentra objeciones de índole constitucional, de fondo o forma, al proyecto de ley tramitado en el expediente legislativo 19.453."
"the Chamber finds no constitutional objections, of substance or form, to the bill processed in legislative file 19.453."
Considerando V
"la Sala no encuentra objeciones de índole constitucional, de fondo o forma, al proyecto de ley tramitado en el expediente legislativo 19.453."
Considerando V
Full documentDocumento completo
*180202850007CO* Res. No. 2018021644 CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at nine hours twenty minutes on the twenty-first of December, two thousand eighteen.
Mandatory legislative consultation of constitutionality submitted by the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly, regarding the bill processed in legislative file No. 19.453, entitled "APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IN ECOTOURISM COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA".
Considering:
1.- By official letter received at the Secretariat of the Chamber at 10:46 hours on December 17, 2018, the Secretariat of the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly submitted this consultation in compliance with the provisions of subsection a) of Article 96 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, along with a certified copy of the legislative file.
2.- By resolution of 11:44 hours on December 17, 2018, the legislative file was deemed received and this consultation was transferred, in accordance with the corresponding rotation, to the reporting Magistrate.
3.- In the process, the legal prescriptions have been observed and this resolution is issued within the respective legal deadline, which expires on January 17, 2019.
Reporting Magistrate Chacón Jiménez; and,
Considering:
I.- Purpose and admissibility of the consultation. This mandatory consultation of constitutionality was submitted by the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly in compliance with the provisions of Articles 10, subsection b), of the Political Constitution and 96, subsection a), of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional. It concerns the bill entitled "APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IN ECOTOURISM COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA", processed in legislative file No. 19.453. The bill was put to a vote in the first debate in Plenary Session No. 103 of November 29, 2018, and approved with 39 votes in favor and none against (see folios 101 to 113 of legislative file No. 19.453), thus complying with the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 98 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional. The first step, for the purpose of resolving this consultation, is to verify the legislative procedures followed in the sub lite, in accordance with Articles 98 and 101 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, which provide that the consultation must be made after the bill is approved in the first debate and before its final approval, and that, when resolving it, the Chamber will rule on any aspects or grounds it deems relevant from a constitutional point of view, but in a binding manner only with regard to procedural steps. For these purposes, a summary of the bill and a chronological summary of the legislative processing of the consulted bill will be provided in the following considering clauses.
II.- The processing of file No. 19.453 in the Legislative Assembly. The bill entitled "APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IN ECOTOURISM COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA", processed in legislative file No. 19.453, has followed the following iter:
On August 20, 2014, Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, former President of the Republic, and Manuel González Sanz, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica, signed the "Approval of the memorandum of understanding in cooperation in Ecotourism between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica", signed on January 30, 2013 by Enrique Castillo Bararntes, then Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship (see folios 2 to 8).
By official letter LYD 1257/12/14-C of December 4, 2014, the Minister of the Presidency, Melvin Jiménez Marín, submitted this bill to the Legislative Assembly. Said official letter was received at the Secretariat of the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly on January 20, 2015 (folio 1).
On January 20, 2015, the bill in question was referred to the Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Internacionales y de Comercio Exterior (folio 9).
On February 16, 2015, the Director of the Department of Archive, Research and Processing of the Legislative Assembly sent file No. 19.453 to the Imprenta Nacional for its respective publication (see folio 15).
On March 2, 2015, the Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Internacionales y de Comercio Exterior received this legislative file for study (folio 16).
On February 27, 2015, the bill of file No. 19.453 was published in La Gaceta No. 41.
By means of Decreto Ejecutivo 38.859-MP of February 5, 2015, the Executive Branch expanded the call for extraordinary sessions to the Legislative Assembly, so that file No. 19.453, among others, could be considered. Said decree was brought to the attention of the Secretariat of the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly on the same February 5 (folios 10 to 13).
In ordinary session No. 33 of March 12, 2015, the Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Exteriores y Comercio Exterior approved the motion to consult said bill with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, MINAE, and MIDEPLAN (folios 18 to 25).
By official letters CRI-227-2015, CRI-228-2015, CRI-229-2015, and CRI-230-2015, all dated March 24, 2015, the Comisión de Relaciones Internacionales y Comercio Exterior requested the opinion of the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, MINAE, and MIDEPLAN regarding this file (folios 26 to 40).
By means of official letter DGPE-DT/043-2015 of March 25, 2015, the Dirección General de Política Exterior of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship responded to the hearing granted by the Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Exteriores y Comercio Exterior, indicating that it reiterated the considerations expressed in the statement of reasons for the consulted bill (folio 47).
By official letter DM-164-15 sent on April 7, 2015, the former Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy responded to the hearing granted by the Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Exteriores y Comercio Exterior (folio 49).
The Comisión Especial Permanente de Relaciones Internacionales y Comercio Exterior, in ordinary session No. 35 of April 9, 2015, unanimously approved the bill in question (folios 51 to 56).
By means of official letter G-0786-2015 of April 23, 2015, the General Management of the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo responded to the hearing granted by the Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Exteriores y Comercio Exterior, with a positive opinion of the same (folio 67).
By official letter ST-091-2015 I, of April 28, 2015, the Dirección de Servicios Técnicos sent to the Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Exteriores y Comercio Exterior the legal-socio-environmental report of this file (folios 78 to 94).
On May 7, 2015, the Comisión Especial Permanente de Relaciones Internacionales y Comercio Exterior delivered the affirmative opinion of this bill to the Secretariat of the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly (folios 58 to 65 and 95).
On October 18, 2018, Deputy Laura Guido Pérez requested the Secretariat of the Directorate to place the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding in Cooperation in Ecotourism between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica on the dispatch calendar (folio 97).
By Plenary Session No. 103 of November 29, 2018, the Plenary composed of 39 deputies unanimously approved the bill under study in the first debate (folios 101 to 113).
By means of Decreto Ejecutivo 41.467-MP of December 10, 2018, the Executive Branch called for extraordinary sessions of the Legislative Assembly, so that file No. 19.453, among others, could be considered. Said decree was brought to the attention of the Secretariat of the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly on the same December 10 (folios 115 to 118).
On December 10, 2018, the Comisión Permanente Especial de Redacción received file No. 19.453 from the Secretariat of the Directorate (folio 120).
On December 11, 2018, the Department of Studies, References, and Technical Services rendered a report to the Comisión Permanente Especial de Redacción on file No. 19.453 (folio 126).
In ordinary session No. 24 of December 11, 2018, the Comisión Permanente Especial de Redacción approved the final wording of the bill of file 19.453 (folios 130 to 141).
On December 12, 2018, the Comisión Permanente Especial de Redacción delivered the final wording of file No. 19.453 to the Secretariat of the Directorate (folio 142).
III.- Regarding the legislative procedure in the specific case. In accordance with the provisions of Article 101 of the law governing this Jurisdiction, this Court reviewed the legislative procedure for processing the bill entitled "Approval of the memorandum of understanding in cooperation in Ecotourism between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica". In this regard, this Court did not determine that any procedural defect had occurred during its processing. The instrument in question was submitted on January 20, 2015, to the Legislative Assembly with the attached signatures of August 20, 2014, of Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera and Enrique Castillo Barrantes, who then held the positions of President of the Republic of Costa Rica and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship, respectively, for it to be given the rigorous procedure. Likewise, the bill was published on February 27, 2015, in La Gaceta No. 41. A hearing was granted to the ICT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, MINAE, and MIDEPLAN. Furthermore, this Court verifies that the Comisión de Relaciones Internacionales of the Legislative Assembly received the file in question on March 2, 2015, and approved it unanimously in ordinary session No. 35 of April 9, 2015. In Plenary Session No. 103 of November 29, 2018, the Plenary composed of 39 deputies unanimously approved the bill under study in the first debate.
IV.- Regarding the Bill submitted for consultation. According to the statement of reasons for the legislative file under study, the purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish a framework for collaboration between the Parties in tourism matters, especially in ecotourism, in accordance with the domestic legislation of each Party. It is a legal instrument composed of only 4 articles. The first establishes the purpose, already indicated above, contemplating as cooperation modalities the training, provision of technical assistance, organization of field visits, and exchange in this matter. The second article establishes that activities and projects will be formalized through an exchange of notes and that each Party will bear the travel costs of its delegation to the other country, while the host country will bear the costs of accommodation and internal transportation. It also indicates that the Parties may have the collaboration of the private sector for the financing of local costs of exchange visits and have the support of the OAS. The third article refers to the review and evaluation of activities carried out annually; and Article IV, to the validity and amendments of this legal instrument, indicating that it will enter into force from the date of the last notification by which the Parties communicate the fulfillment of the internal requirements demanded by their legislation for entry into force. It is noted, among other things, that the termination or non-renewal of this Memorandum will not affect the existing programs and activities under development between the Parties, unless otherwise provided in an agreement. And that modifications to this Memorandum will be made in writing and by mutual agreement of the Parties, after complying with the internal requirements of each State.
V.- Having stated the above and that this instrument was carried out in accordance with principles and norms of International Law that respect our legal system; under the terms indicated, the Chamber finds no objections of a constitutional nature, in substance or form, to the bill processed in legislative file 19.453.
Therefore:
This mandatory legislative consultation of constitutionality is resolved in the sense that, by reason of the processing of the bill entitled "APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IN ECOTOURISM COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA", legislative file No. 19.453, no substantial defect of form or substance has occurred. Let it be communicated.
Nancy Hernández L. Acting President Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Ana María Picado B.
Anamari Garro V.
Mauricio Chacón J.
Hubert Fernández A.
Digitally Signed Document -- Verification code -- *HNBM8N1VLBI61* FILE No. 18-020285-0007-CO Telephones: 2549-1500 / 800-SALA-4TA (800-7252-482). Fax: 2295-3712 / 2549-1633. Email address: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Sabana Sur, Calle Morenos, 100 mts. South of the Perpetuo Socorro church). Reception of matters from vulnerable groups: Edificio Corte Suprema de Justicia, San José, Catedral District, Barrio González Lahmann, calles 19 and 21, avenidas 8 and 6 On February 16, 2015, the Director of the Archive, Research, and Procedure Department of the Legislative Assembly referred file No. 19.453 to the National Printing Office for its respective publication (see folio 15).
On March 2, 2015, the Special Permanent Committee on International Relations and Foreign Trade received this legislative file for study (folio 16).
On February 27, 2015, the bill in file No. 19.453 was published in La Gaceta No. 41.
By means of Decreto Ejecutivo 38.859-MP of February 5, 2015, the Executive Branch extended the call for extraordinary sessions to the Legislative Assembly, so that file No. 19.453, among others, could be considered. Said decree was brought to the attention of the Secretariat of the Board of Directors of the Legislative Assembly on that same February 5 (folios 10 to 13).
In ordinary session No. 33 of March 12, 2015, the Special Permanent Committee on Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade approved the motion to consult on said project with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, MINAE, and MIDEPLAN (folios 18 to 25).
By official letters CRI-227-2015, CRI-228-2015, CRI-229-2015, and CRI-230-2015, all dated March 24, 2015, the Committee on International Relations and Foreign Trade requested the opinion of the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, MINAE, and MIDEPLAN regarding this file (folios 26 to 40).
By official letter DGPE-DT/043-2015 of March 25, 2015, the Directorate General of Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship responded to the hearing granted by the Special Permanent Committee on Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade, stating that it reiterated the considerations expressed in the statement of purposes of the bill under consultation (folio 47).
By official letter DM-164-15 sent on April 7, 2015, the former Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy responded to the hearing granted by the Special Permanent Committee on Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade (folio 49).
The Special Permanent Committee on International Relations and Foreign Trade, in ordinary session No. 35 of April 9, 2015, unanimously approved the project in question (folios 51 to 56).
By official letter G-0786-2015 of April 23, 2015, the General Management of the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo responded to the hearing granted by the Special Permanent Committee on Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade, with a positive opinion on the same (folio 67).
By official letter ST-091-2015 I, of April 28, 2015, the Directorate of Technical Services referred the legal-socio-environmental report on this file to the Special Permanent Committee on Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade (folios 78 to 94).
On May 7, 2015, the Special Permanent Committee on International Relations and Foreign Trade delivered the affirmative opinion on this project to the Secretariat of the Board of Directors of the Legislative Assembly (folios 58 to 65 and 95).
On October 18, 2018, Deputy Laura Guido Pérez requested the Secretariat of the Board of Directors to schedule for debate the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Ecotourism between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica (folio 97).
By Plenary Session No. 103 of November 29, 2018, the Plenary composed of 39 deputies unanimously approved the bill under study in the first debate (folios 101 to 113).
By means of Decreto Ejecutivo 41.467-MP of December 10, 2018, the Executive Branch convened the Legislative Assembly to extraordinary sessions, so that file No. 19.453, among others, could be considered. Said decree was brought to the attention of the Secretariat of the Board of Directors of the Legislative Assembly on that same December 10 (folios 115 to 118).
On December 10, 2018, the Special Permanent Committee on Drafting received file No. 19.453 from the Secretariat of the Board of Directors (folio 120).
On December 11, 2018, the Department of Studies, References, and Technical Services submitted a report to the Special Permanent Committee on Drafting regarding file No. 19.453 (folio 126).
In ordinary session No. 24 of December 11, 2018, the Special Permanent Committee on Drafting approved the final text of the bill in file 19.453 (folios 130 to 141).
On December 12, 2018, the Special Permanent Committee on Drafting delivered the final text of file No. 19.453 to the Secretariat of the Board of Directors (folio 142).
III.- Regarding the legislative procedure in the specific case. In accordance with the provisions of article 101 of the law governing this Jurisdiction, this Chamber reviewed the legislative procedure for the processing of the project called "Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Ecotourism between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica". On this matter, this Chamber did not determine that any defect in the procedure had occurred during its processing. The instrument in question was referred on January 20, 2015, to the Legislative Assembly with the attached signature of August 20, 2014, of Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera and Enrique Castillo Barrantes, who then held the positions of President of the Republic of Costa Rica and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship, for it to be given the standard procedure. Likewise, the project was published on February 27, 2015, in La Gaceta No. 41. A hearing was granted to the ICT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, MINAE, and MIDEPLAN. Furthermore, this Chamber verifies that the Committee on International Relations of the Legislative Assembly received the file in question on March 2, 2015, and approved it unanimously in ordinary session No. 35 of April 9, 2015. In Plenary Session No. 103 of November 29, 2018, the Plenary composed of 39 deputies unanimously approved the bill under study in the first debate.
IV.- Regarding the Bill submitted for consultation. According to the statement of purposes of the legislative file under study, the purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish a framework for collaboration between the Parties on tourism matters, especially in ecotourism, in accordance with the domestic legislation of each Party. It is a legal instrument composed of only 4 articles. The first establishes the purpose already indicated above, contemplating as modalities of cooperation training, the provision of technical assistance, the organization of field visits, and exchange on this matter. The second article establishes that the activities and projects will be formalized by exchange of notes and that each Party will bear the cost of its delegation's travel to the other country, while the host country will bear the cost of lodging and internal transportation. It also indicates that the Parties may count on the collaboration of the private sector for the financing of local costs of exchange visits and on the support of the OAS. The third article refers to the review and evaluation of the activities carried out annually; and article IV, to the term and amendments of this legal instrument, indicating that it will enter into force from the date of the last notification by which the Parties communicate to each other the fulfillment of the internal requirements demanded by their legislation for entry into force. It is noted, among other things, that the termination or non-renewal of this Memorandum will not affect existing programs and activities under development between the Parties, unless otherwise provided in an agreement. And that modifications to this Memorandum shall be made in writing and by mutual agreement of the Parties, after fulfilling the internal requirements of each State.
V.- Having set forth the foregoing and that this instrument was carried out in accordance with principles and norms of International Law that respect our legal system; under the terms indicated, the Chamber finds no objections of a constitutional nature, in substance or form, to the bill processed in legislative file 19.453.
Por tanto:
This mandatory legislative consultation on constitutionality is resolved, in the sense that during the processing of the bill called "APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN ECOTOURISM BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA", legislative file No. 19.453, no substantial defect of form or substance has occurred.
Comunicated.
| Nancy Hernández L. | ||
| Acting President | ||
| Luis Fdo. |
San José, at nine-twenty hours on December twenty-first, two thousand eighteen.
Having received for the opinion required by Article 10 of the Constitution, the so-called "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Ecotourism between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica" (hereinafter the Memorandum), a document processed under legislative file No. 19,453, its constitutional analysis is appropriate. It is noted that this matter is processed in the Constitutional Chamber under file number 18-020285-0007-CO.
The opinion is requested by means of official letter AL-CP-ALEG-2399-2018, signed by the Senior Officer of the Commission appointed to this effect, Ms. Ana Cristina Miranda Calderón. After the respective consultation with the Attorney General's Office was carried out, the matter became ready for the Chamber's resolution. The opinion was drafted by Magistrate Mauricio Chacón Jiménez.
**I. - Purpose of the consultation.** The consultation sent by the Legislative Assembly to this Chamber, through the appropriate Commission, consists of the mandatory nature of the aforementioned Memorandum, processed under legislative file No. 19,453, in accordance with the provisions of Article 10 of the Political Constitution and Articles 96 and following of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Law. The consultation was prepared, and having the opinion of the Attorney General's Office as required by the Law, it is appropriate to proceed with the constitutional opinion. Both the documentation sent and the Attorney General's Office's report are considered sufficient for the resolution of the consultation. This Chamber notes that the consultation refers to a Memorandum, due to its purpose and spirit, it is a general agreement on cooperation in ecotourism. The text is short, consisting of 8 clauses, in which the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica agree to establish a framework of cooperation to promote and develop joint initiatives in the field of ecotourism. The general purpose of the Memorandum is, according to Clause One, to "establish a general framework of cooperation to facilitate the development of programs and projects in the field of ecotourism, between both parties, on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit". In accordance with Clause Two, the areas of cooperation are: "a. Exchange of delegations, specialists, and experts; b. Exchange of information on policies, legislation, best practices, statistical data, marketing, and other areas of common interest; c. Organization of training courses, educational programs from generation to generation, scholarships, workshops, meetings, and conferences; and d. Implementation of joint projects." The means of cooperation, according to Clause Three, are channeled through the relevant government agencies of both countries, while, according to Clause Four, a Joint Committee is established to formulate and adopt cooperation programs and projects. The Committee shall meet alternately in the Republic of Costa Rica and the Commonwealth of Dominica "*... at times to be mutually determined.*" The fifth stipulation refers to the mechanisms for the execution of cooperation activities, which will be developed through specific agreements (called Implementing Arrangements), in which the details of the projects are developed, including, for example, the financing sources. The sixth clause refers to intellectual property. The seventh clause refers to dispute settlement, where "Any difference arising from the interpretation and application of this Memorandum shall be resolved amicably through consultations or negotiations between the Parties, through diplomatic channels." It is also stipulated in the same Clause Seven that the Memorandum will remain in force for five years from the date of signature, being renewable automatically.
**II. - Judgment of the Advisory Chamber.** After a careful analysis of the text of the Memorandum, this Constitutional Chamber considers that it is a framework agreement on cooperation that aims to strengthen cooperation between both countries, for the development of programs and projects in the field of ecotourism. The agreement is governed by principles of international cooperation of equality, reciprocity, and mutual benefit. It does not contain stipulations that affect the territorial integrity, the political organization, or the fundamental rights and guarantees of Costa Rica. It is, in conclusion, a "general" or "framework" type agreement in matters of cooperation regarding ecotourism, a broad understanding, in charge of the corresponding public entities of each country. It is not subject to the requirement of legislative approval, nor is it an international treaty. Therefore, it does not have unconstitutional provisions, nor is its approval through a special procedure necessary.
**III. - Conclusion.** For the reasons stated, the consultation is evacuated in the sense that the legislative procedure of approval is not applicable to the Memorandum, nor does it contain stipulations contrary to the Political Constitution.
**POR TANTO** The consultation is evacuated in the sense that the document entitled "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Ecotourism between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica", in itself, contains no provisions contrary to the Political Constitution, nor requires legislative approval by the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly is ordered to proceed in accordance with this opinion, in the processing of this matter. Magistrate Hernández G. puts separate and dissenting notes. Magistrate Rueda L. puts a separate and dissenting note.
Fernando Castillo V. President Fernando Cruz C.
Paul Rueda L.
Nancy Hernández L.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Ana María Picado B.
Anamari Garro V.
Mauricio Chacón J.
Hubert Fernández A.
Document Digitally Signed -- Verification Code -- *HNBM8N1VLBI61* Telephones: 2549-1500 / 800-SALA-4TA (800-7252-482). Fax: 2295-3712 / 2549-1633. Electronic address: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Sabana Sur, Calle Morenos, 100 mts. South of the Perpetuo Socorro church). Reception of matters from vulnerable groups: Supreme Court of Justice Building, San José, Catedral District, González Lahmann Neighborhood, streets 19 and 21, avenues 8 and 6 San José, at nine hours twenty minutes on the twenty-first of December, two thousand eighteen.
Mandatory legislative consultation on constitutionality submitted by the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly, on the bill processed under legislative file No. 19.453, entitled ***“APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN ECOTOURISM BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA”***.
**Whereas:** **1.-** By official letter received in the Secretariat of the Chamber at 10:46 hours on December 17, 2018, the Secretariat of the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly submitted this consultation in compliance with the provisions of subsection a) of Article 96 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction, together with a certified copy of the legislative file.
**2.-** By resolution at 11:44 hours on December 17, 2018, the legislative file was deemed received and this consultation was transferred, in accordance with the corresponding rotation, to the drafting Magistrate.
**3.-** In the process, the prescriptions of law have been observed and this resolution is issued within the respective legal deadline, which expires on January 17, 2019.
Drafted by Magistrate **Chacón Jiménez**; and, **Considering:** **I.-** **Object and admissibility of the consultation.** This mandatory consultation on constitutionality was submitted by the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly in compliance with the provisions of Articles 10, subsection b), of the Political Constitution and 96, subsection a), of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction. It refers to the bill entitled ***“APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN ECOTOURISM BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA”***, which is being processed under legislative file No. 19.453. The bill was submitted to a vote in the first debate in Plenary Session No. 103 of November 29, 2018, and approved with 39 votes in favor and none against (see folios 101 to 113 of legislative file No. 19.453); thus, it complies with the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 98 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction. The first step, for the purposes of addressing this consultation, is to verify the legislative procedures followed in the *sub lite*, in accordance with what Articles 98 and 101 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction indicate, when providing that the consultation must be made after the bill is approved in the first debate and before its final approval, and that, when addressing it, the Chamber shall rule on any aspects or reasons it deems relevant from a constitutional standpoint, but in a binding manner only with regard to procedural matters. For the above purposes, in the following recitals, a synthesis of the bill and a chronological summary of the legislative procedure of the consulted bill will be provided.
**II.- The processing of file No. 19.453 in the Legislative Assembly.** The bill entitled ***“APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN ECOTOURISM BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA”***, which is being processed under legislative file No. 19.453, has followed the following *iter*:
1. On August 20, 2014, Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, former President of the Republic, and Manuel González Sanz, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica, signed the "Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Ecotourism between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica", signed on January 30, 2013, by Enrique Castillo Barantes, then Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship (see folios 2 to 8).
2. By official letter LYD 1257/12/14-C of December 4, 2014, the Minister of the Presidency, Melvin Jiménez Marín, sent this bill to the Legislative Assembly. Said official letter was received in the Secretariat of the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly on January 20, 2015 (folio 1).
3. On January 20, 2015, the bill in question was sent to the Permanent Special Commission on International Relations and Foreign Trade (folio 9).
4. On February 16, 2015, the Director of the Department of Archives, Research, and Processing of the Legislative Assembly sent file No. 19.453 to the National Printing Office for its respective publication (see folio 15).
5. On March 2, 2015, the Permanent Special Commission on International Relations and Foreign Trade received this legislative file for study (folio 16).
6. On February 27, 2015, the bill from file No. 19.453 was published in La Gaceta No. 41.
7. Through Executive Decree 38.859-MP of February 5, 2015, the Executive Branch extended the call to extraordinary sessions of the Legislative Assembly, so that file No. 19.453, among others, could be considered. Said decree was made known to the Secretariat of the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly on the same February 5 (folios 10 to 13).
8. In ordinary session No. 33 of March 12, 2015, the Permanent Special Commission on International Relations and Foreign Trade approved the motion to consult on said bill with the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Worship, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, MINAE, and MIDEPLAN (folios 18 to 25).
9. Through official letters CRI-227-2015, CRI-228-2015, CRI-229-2015, and CRI-230-2015, all of March 24, 2015, the Commission on International Relations and Foreign Trade requested the opinion of the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Worship, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, MINAE, and MIDEPLAN regarding this file (folios 26 to 40).
10. Through official letter DGPE-DT/043-2015 of March 25, 2015, the General Directorate of Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Worship responded to the hearing granted by the Permanent Special Commission on International Relations and Foreign Trade, indicating that it reiterated the considerations 11. Through official letter DM-164-15 sent on April 7, 2015, the former Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy responded to the hearing granted by the Permanent Special Commission on International Relations and Foreign Trade (folio 49).
12. The Permanent Special Commission on International Relations and Foreign Trade, in ordinary session No. 35 of April 9, 2015, unanimously approved the bill in question (folios 51 to 56).
13. Through official letter G-0786-2015 of April 23, 2015, the General Management of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute responded to the hearing granted by the Permanent Special Commission on International Relations and Foreign Trade, with a positive opinion thereof (folio 67).
14. Through official letter ST-091-2015 I, of April 28, 2015, the Directorate of Technical Services sent to the Permanent Special Commission on International Relations and Foreign Trade the legal-socio-environmental report of this file (folios 78 to 94).
15. On May 7, 2015, the Permanent Special Commission on International Relations and Foreign Trade delivered the affirmative opinion on this bill to the Secretariat of the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly (folios 58 to 65 and 95).
16. On October 18, 2018, Deputy Laura Guido Pérez requested the Secretariat of the Directorate to place on the docket the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Ecotourism between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica (folio 97).
17. In Plenary Session No. 103 of November 29, 2018, the Plenary, composed of 39 deputies, unanimously approved the bill submitted for study in the first debate (folios 101 to 113).
18. Through Executive Decree 41.467-MP of December 10, 2018, the Executive Branch called extraordinary sessions of the Legislative Assembly, so that file No. 19.453, among others, could be considered. Said decree was made known to the Secretariat of the Directorate of the Legislative Assembly on the same December 10 (folios 115 to 118).
19. On December 10, 2018, the Permanent Special Drafting Commission received file No. 19.453 from the Secretariat of the Directorate (folio 120).
20. On December 11, 2018, the Department of Studies, References, and Technical Services rendered a report to the Permanent Special Drafting Commission on file No. 19.453 (folio 126).
21. In ordinary session No. 24 of December 11, 2018, the Permanent Special Drafting Commission approved the final wording of the bill from file 19.453 (folios 130 to 141).
22. On December 12, 2018, the Permanent Special Drafting Commission delivered to the Secretariat of the Directorate the final wording of file No. 19.453 (folio 142).
**III.- Regarding the legislative procedure in the specific case.** In accordance with the provisions of Article 101 of the law governing this Jurisdiction, this Tribunal reviewed the legislative procedure for processing the bill entitled *“Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Ecotourism between the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica”*. On this matter, this Tribunal did not determine that any defect in the procedure had occurred during its processing. The instrument in question was sent on January 20, 2015, to the Legislative Assembly with the accompanying signature of August 20, 2014, of Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera and Enrique Castillo Barrantes, who at that time held the positions of President of the Republic of Costa Rica and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship, respectively, for it to be given the rigorous procedure. Likewise, the bill was published on February 27, 2015, in La Gaceta No. 41. A hearing was granted to the ICT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, MINAE, and MIDEPLAN. On the other hand, this Tribunal verifies that the International Relations Commission of the Legislative Assembly received the file in question on March 2, 2015, and approved it unanimously in ordinary session No. 35 of April 9, 2015. In Plenary Session No. 103 of November 29, 2018, the Plenary, composed of 39 deputies, unanimously approved the bill submitted for study in the first debate.
**IV.- Regarding the Bill submitted for consultation.** According to the statement of motives of the legislative file under study, the purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish a framework for collaboration between the Parties on tourism matters, especially ecotourism, in accordance with the internal legislation of each Party. It is a legal instrument composed of only 4 articles. The first establishes its aforementioned purpose, contemplating as modalities of cooperation training, the provision of technical assistance, organization of field visits, and exchange in this area. The second article establishes that the activities and projects will be formalized through an exchange of notes and that each Party shall bear the travel costs of its delegation to the other country, while the host country shall bear the cost of lodging and internal transportation. It also indicates that the Parties may have the collaboration of the private sector for the financing of local costs of the exchange visits and have the support of the OAS. The third article refers to the review and evaluation of the activities carried out annually; and article IV, to the validity and amendments of this legal instrument, indicating that the same shall enter into force from the date of the last notification by which the Parties communicate to each other the fulfillment of the internal requirements demanded by their legislation for its entry into force. It is noted, among other things, that the termination or non-renewal of this Memorandum shall not affect the existing programs and activities under development between the Parties, unless otherwise provided in an agreement.
And that modifications to this Memorandum shall be made in writing and by mutual agreement of the Parties, after fulfilling the internal requirements of each State.
**V.-** Having set forth the foregoing and that this instrument was carried out in accordance with principles and norms of International Law that respect our legal system; under the stated terms, the Chamber finds no objections of a constitutional nature, in substance or form, to the bill processed in legislative file 19.453.
**Por tanto:** This mandatory legislative consultation of constitutionality is hereby resolved, in the sense that regarding the processing of the bill entitled **“APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN ECOTOURISM BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA”**, legislative file No. 19.453, no substantial defect of form or substance has occurred. Let this be communicated.
| |  Nancy Hernández L. Presidenta a.i. | | | Luis Fdo.
Of the Public Driver's License (Licencia de Conducir de Servicio Público) B4, No. 34-00002-00567, and identification card No. 0-000-000, extended by the Civil Registry of the province of San José, section of driver's licenses, registration number 5232, on July 17, 2017.
*180202850007CO* Res. Nº 2018021644 SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las nueve horas veinte minutos del veintiuno de diciembre de dos mil dieciocho .
Consulta legislativa preceptiva de constitucionalidad formulada por el Directorio de la Asamblea Legislativa, sobre el proyecto de ley tramitado en el expediente legislativo Nº 19.453, denominado “APROBACIÓN DEL MEMORÁNDUM DE ENTENDIMIENTO EN COOPERACIÓN EN ECOTURISMO ENTRE EL GOBIERNO DE LA REPÚBLICA DE COSTA RICA Y EL GOBIERNO DE LA MANCOMUNIDAD DE DOMINICA”.
Resultando:
1.- Por oficio recibido en la Secretaría de la Sala a las 10:46 horas del 17 de diciembre de 2018, la Secretaría del Directorio de la Asamblea Legislativa remitió esta consulta en cumplimiento de lo establecido en el inciso a) del artículo 96 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, junto con una copia certificada del expediente legislativo.
2.- Por resolución de las 11:44 horas del 17 de diciembre de 2018, se tuvo por recibido el expediente legislativo y se trasladó esta consulta, conforme con el turno correspondiente, al Magistrado redactor.
3.- En el proceso se han observado las prescripciones de ley y esta resolución se dicta dentro del plazo legal respectivo, que vence el 17 de enero de 2019.
Redacta el Magistrado Chacón Jiménez; y,
Considerando:
I.- Objeto y admisibilidad de la consulta. Esta consulta preceptiva de constitucionalidad fue formulada por el Directorio de la Asamblea Legislativa en cumplimiento de lo dispuesto en los artículos 10, inciso b), de la Constitución Política y 96, inciso a), de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional. Está referida al proyecto de ley denominado “APROBACIÓN DEL MEMORÁNDUM DE ENTENDIMIENTO EN COOPERACIÓN EN ECOTURISMO ENTRE EL GOBIERNO DE LA REPÚBLICA DE COSTA RICA Y EL GOBIERNO DE LA MANCOMUNIDAD DE DOMINICA”, que se tramita en el expediente legislativo Nº 19.453. El proyecto fue sometido a votación en primer debate en la Sesión Plenaria Nº 103 del 29 de noviembre de 2018 y aprobado con 39 votos a favor y ninguno en contra (ver folios 101 al 113 del expediente legislativo Nº 19.453), por lo que cumple lo dispuesto en el párrafo 1 del artículo 98 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional . Lo primero que procede, a efectos de evacuar la presente consulta, es verificar los trámites legislativos seguidos en el sub lite, en concordancia con lo que señalan los artículos 98 y 101 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, al disponer que la consulta deberá hacerse después de aprobado el proyecto en primer debate y antes de la aprobación definitiva y que, al evacuarla, la Sala dictaminará sobre cualesquiera aspectos o motivos que estime relevantes desde el punto de vista constitucional, pero en forma vinculante solo en lo que se refiere a los trámites procedimentales. Para los efectos anteriores, en los siguientes considerandos se hará una síntesis del proyecto y un resumen cronológico del trámite legislativo del proyecto de ley consultado.
II.- La tramitación del expediente Nº 19.453 en la Asamblea Legislativa. El proyecto de ley denominado “APROBACIÓN DEL MEMORÁNDUM DE ENTENDIMIENTO EN COOPERACIÓN EN ECOTURISMO ENTRE EL GOBIERNO DE LA REPÚBLICA DE COSTA RICA Y EL GOBIERNO DE LA MANCOMUNIDAD DE DOMINICA”, que se tramita en el expediente legislativo Nº 19.453, ha seguido el siguiente iter:
El 20 de agosto de 2014, Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, ex Presidente de la República, y Manuel González Sanz, ex Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto de Costa Rica, suscribieron la “Aprobación del memorándum de entendimiento en cooperación en Ecoturismo entre el Gobierno de la República de Costa Rica y el Gobierno de la Mancomunidad de Dominica”, firmado el 30 de enero de 2013 por Enrique Castillo Bararntes, entonces Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto (ver folios 2 al 8).
Por oficio LYD 1257/12/14-C del 4 de diciembre de 2014, el Ministro de la Presidencia, Melvin Jiménez Marín, remitió a la Asamblea Legislativa este proyecto de ley. Dicho oficio fue recibido en la Secretaría del Directorio de la Asamblea Legislativa el 20 de enero de 2015 (folio 1).
El 20 de enero de 2015, el proyecto de ley en cuestión fue remitido a la Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Internacionales y de Comercio Exterior (folio 9).
El 16 de febrero de 2015, el Director del Departamento de Archivo, Investigación y Trámite de la Asamblea Legislativa remitió a la Imprenta Nacional el expediente Nº 19.453 para su respectiva publicación (ver folio 15).
El 2 de marzo de 2015, la Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Internacionales y de Comercio Exterior recibió este expediente legislativo para estudio (folio 16).
El 27 de febrero de 2015, fue publicado el proyecto de ley del expediente Nº 19.453 en La Gaceta Nº 41.
Mediante Decreto Ejecutivo 38.859-MP del 5 de febrero de 2015, el Poder Ejecutivo amplió la convocatoria a sesiones extraordinarias a la Asamblea Legislativa, a fin de que se conociera el expediente Nº 19.453, entre otros. Dicho decreto fue puesto en conocimiento de la Secretaría del Directorio de la Asamblea Legislativa el mismo 5 de febrero (folios 10 al 13).
En la sesión ordinaria No. 33 del 12 de marzo de 2015, la Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Exteriores y Comercio Exterior aprobó la moción de consultar sobre dicho proyecto al Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto, Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, MINAE y MIDEPLAN (folios 18 al 25).
Por oficios CRI-227-2015, CRI-228-2015, CRI-229-2015 y CRI-230-2015, todos del 24 de marzo de 2015, la Comisión de Relaciones Internacionales y Comercio Exterior solicitó el criterio a los jerarcas del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto, Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, MINAE y MIDEPLAN respecto de este expediente (folios 26 al 40).
Mediante oficio DGPE-DT/043-2015 del 25 de marzo de 2015, la Dirección General de Política Exterior del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto contestó la audiencia conferida por la Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Exteriores y Comercio Exterior, indicando que reiteraba las consideraciones externadas en la exposición de motivos del proyecto de ley consultado (folio 47).
Por oficio DM-164-15 remitido el 7 de abril de 2015, la ex Ministra de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica contestó la audiencia conferida por la Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Exteriores y Comercio Exterior (folio 49).
La Comisión Especial Permanente de Relaciones Internacionales y Comercio Exterior, en sesión ordinaria No. 35 del 9 de abril de 2015, aprobó por unanimidad el proyecto en cuestión (folios 51 al 56) .
Mediante oficio G-0786-2015 del 23 de abril de 2015, la Gerencia General del Instituto Costarricense de Turismo contestó la audiencia conferida por la Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Exteriores y Comercio Exterior, con criterio positivo del mismo (folio 67).
Por oficio ST-091-2015 I, del 28 de abril de 2015, la Dirección de Servicios Técnicos remitió a la Comisión Permanente Especial de Relaciones Exteriores y Comercio Exterior el informe jurídico-socioambiental de este expediente (folios 78 al 94).
El 7 de mayo de 2015, la Comisión Especial Permanente de Relaciones Internacionales y Comercio Exterior entregó el dictamen afirmativo de este proyecto a la Secretaría del Directorio de la Asamblea Legislativa (folios 58 al 65 y 95).
El 18 de octubre de 2018, la diputada Laura Guido Pérez solicitó a la Secretaría del Directorio que se pusiera a despacho la aprobación del Memorándum de Entendimiento en Cooperación en Ecoturismo entre el Gobierno de la República de Costa Rica y el Gobierno de la Mancomunidad de Dominica (folio 97).
Por Sesión Plenaria No. 103 del 29 de noviembre de 2018, el Pleno conformado por 39 diputados, aprobó por unanimidad el proyecto de ley sometido a estudio en primer debate (folios 101 a 113).
Mediante Decreto Ejecutivo 41.467-MP del 10 de diciembre de 2018, el Poder Ejecutivo convocó a sesiones extraordinarias a la Asamblea Legislativa, a fin de que se conociera el expediente Nº 19.453, entre otros. Dicho decreto fue puesto en conocimiento de la Secretaría del Directorio de la Asamblea Legislativa el mismo 10 de diciembre (folios 115 al 118).
El 10 de diciembre de 2018, la Comisión Permanente Especial de Redacción recibió el expediente Nº 19.453 de la Secretaría del Directorio (folio 120).
El 11 de diciembre de 2018, el Departamento de Estudios, Referencias y Servicios Técnicos rindió informe a la Comisión Permanente Especial de Redacción sobre el expediente Nº 19.453 (folio 126).
En sesión ordinaria Nº 24 de 11 de diciembre de 2018, la Comisión Permanente Especial de Redacción aprobó la redacción final del proyecto de ley del expediente 19.453 (folios 130 a141).
El 12 de diciembre de 2018, la Comisión Permanente Especial de Redacción entregó a la Secretaría del Directorio la redacción final del expediente Nº 19.453 (folio 142).
III.- Sobre el procedimiento legislativo en el caso concreto. De conformidad con lo establecido en el artículo 101 de la ley que rige esta Jurisdicción, este Tribunal revisó el procedimiento legislativo para la tramitación del proyecto denominado “Aprobación del memorándum de entendimiento en cooperación en Ecoturismo entre el Gobierno de la República de Costa Rica y el Gobierno de la Mancomunidad de Dominica”. Sobre el particular, este Tribunal no determinó que se hubiera producido durante su trámite, vicio alguno en el procedimiento. El instrumento en cuestión fue remitido el 20 de enero de 2015 a la Asamblea Legislativa con la firma adjunta del 20 de agosto de 2014, de Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera y Enrique Castillo Barrantes, quienes ocupaban para entonces los cargos de Presidente de la República de Costa Rica y Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto, para que se le diera el trámite de rigor. Asimismo, el proyecto fue publicado el 27 de febrero de 2015, en La Gaceta Nº 41. Se concedió audiencia al ICT, al Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto, MINAE y MIDEPLAN. Por otro lado, este Tribunal constata que la Comisión de Relaciones Internacionales de la Asamblea Legislativa recibió el expediente en cuestión el 2 de marzo de 2015, y lo aprobó de forma unánime en la sesión ordinaria No. 35 del 9 de abril de 2015. En sesión Plenaria No. 103 del 29 de noviembre de 2018, el Pleno conformado por 39 diputados, aprobó por unanimidad el proyecto de ley sometido a estudio en primer debate.
IV.- Sobre el Proyecto de ley sometido a consulta. Según la exposición de motivos del expediente legislativo en estudio, el propósito de este Memorándum de Entendimiento, es establecer un marco de colaboración entre las Partes en materia de turismo, especialmente en ecoturismo, de conformidad con la legislación interna de cada Parte. Es un instrumento jurídico compuesto por solo 4 artículos. El primero establece el propósito de este ya supraindicado, contemplando como modalidades de cooperación la capacitación, prestación de asistencia técnica, organización de visitas de campo e intercambio en esta materia. El segundo artículo, establece que las actividades y los proyectos se formalizarán mediante canje de notas y que cada Parte se hará cargo del costo del viaje de su delegación al otro país, mientras que el país anfitrión se hará cargo del alojamiento y transporte interno. También indica, que las Partes podrán contar con la colaboración del sector privado para la financiación de los costos locales de las visitas de intercambio y contar con el apoyo de la OEA. El tercer artículo se refiere a la revisión y evaluación de las actividades que se realicen anualmente; y el artículo IV, a la vigencia y enmiendas de este instrumento jurídico, indicando que el mismo entrará en vigencia a partir de la fecha de la última notificación mediante la cual las Partes se comuniquen el cumplimiento de los requisitos internos exigidos por su legislación para la entrada en vigor. Se advierte, entre otras cosas, que la terminación o la no renovación de este Memorándum, no afectará los programas y actividades existentes en desarrollo entre las Partes, a no ser que en un acuerdo se disponga lo contrario. Y que las modificaciones a este Memorándum se harán por escrito y mediante acuerdo mutuo de las Partes, luego de cumplir los requisitos internos de cada Estado.
V.- Expuesto lo anterior y que este instrumento se llevó a cabo en concordancia con principios y normas del Derecho Internacional que respetan nuestro ordenamiento jurídico; bajo los términos señalados, la Sala no encuentra objeciones de índole constitucional, de fondo o forma, al proyecto de ley tramitado en el expediente legislativo 19.453.
Por tanto:
Se evacua esta consulta legislativa preceptiva de constitucionalidad, en el sentido de que con motivo del trámite del proyecto de ley denominado “APROBACIÓN DEL MEMORÁNDUM DE ENTENDIMIENTO EN COOPERACIÓN EN ECOTURISMO ENTRE EL GOBIERNO DE LA REPÚBLICA DE COSTA RICA Y EL GOBIERNO DE LA MANCOMUNIDAD DE DOMINICA”, ningún vicio sustancial de forma ni de fondo. Comuníquese.
Nancy Hernández L.
Presidenta a.i.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Ana María Picado B.
Anamari Garro V.
Mauricio Chacón J.
Hubert Fernández A.
Documento Firmado Digitalmente -- Código verificador -- *HNBM8N1VLBI61* Morenos, 100 mts.Sur de la iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro). Recepción de asuntos de grupos vulnerables: Edificio Corte Suprema de Justicia, San José, Distrito Catedral, Barrio González Lahmann, calles 19 y 21, avenidas 8 y 6
Document not found. Documento no encontrado.