By invitation of the President of the Argentine Republic, Mauricio Macri, the President of the Republic of Colombia, Iván Duque, made an Official Visit to Argentina on 10 June 2019.
The presidents discussed items on the agenda and shared their views on bilateral, regional and global issues.
The Presidents:
Underscored the excellent state of bilateral economic relations, evidenced by the extensive trade agenda on which they are working and the 20% increase in bilateral trade flows in the last year, especially promoted by the automobile industry.
Expressed their willingness to create the necessary conditions for the promotion of reciprocal investment. To this end, the Presidents welcomed the reciprocal interest in signing an Agreement to avoid Double Taxation which will lead to more legal stability and promote investments in both countries.
Instructed their negotiation teams to seek alternatives aimed at improving the access for products of interest to both countries over the next few months.
Highlighted the results obtained in the phytosanitary and zoosanitary sectors and agreed to continue working in those areas and focus their efforts to take advantage of open opportunities which have over the last year facilitated the access of Argentine oranges, lemons, garlic and tangerines to the Colombian market, and the access of Colombian bananas, pineapples, Tahití lemons, and Hass avocados to the Argentine market.
Acknowledged the importance of tourism in creating jobs and generating revenue, as well as its contribution to the growth and economic development of nations, and welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in that field.
Expressed their satisfaction at the increase of air connectivity since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Civil Aviation Authorities from Colombia and Argentina on 22 February 2018.
Both Presidents committed to make the Puerto Vallarta Action Plan, set forth in the Pacific Alliance - MERCOSUR Presidential Declaration, dated 24 July 2018, more dynamic.
Underscored the role of the cultural and creative industries in the economic development of each country and welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to create a creative economy platform between both countries. In this regard, they agreed to promote the participation of Colombian companies in those sectors in the Buenos Aires Expo 2023, thus acknowledging the strategic importance of these industries for development. The theme of the Buenos Aires Expo 2023, the first of its kind in Latin America, will be "Creative industries in digital convergence".
Recognized that information sharing and cooperation in the radio and television sectors are essential tools to promote friendship and mutual understanding. Thus, they will foster cooperation between their respective public media systems.
Agreed to work towards the recognition of diplomas from both countries, in view of the importance of education for the professional development of young people and the increase of student exchanges between Argentina and Colombia.
Welcomed the results of the 7th Programme on Bilateral Technical Cooperation (2016-2018), which was fully completed, and agreed on the importance of the new Programme, approved for the 2018-2020 period, which includes initiatives on security, justice, human rights, social development and productive technology innovation through triangular partnerships with the European Union and Switzerland.
Reiterated that the region is highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change due to its geography and socio-economic conditions, and expressed their commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement with a view to fulfilling its objectives, and to the promotion, along with the other countries of the region, of the 25th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, to be held in Santiago, Chile, on 2-13 December 2019, in order to strengthen the international response to the global threat of climate change.
In addition, the agreed to actively participate in the global negotiation process in the field of biodiversity after 2020 with a view to promoting an effective, ambitious and realizable strategy at the 15th Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity, which will be held in Kunming, China in 2020.
Welcomed the work carried out at the 6th Meeting of the Joint Committee on Prevention of Drug Abuse and Control of Illicit Traffic of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which was held on 22-23 April in Buenos Aires, and in which the parties agreed on strengthening controls to facilitate the seizure of drugs and exchanging information on criminal organizations, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. In addition, they shared their views on good practices and the lessons learned in approaching the World Drug Problem.
Both Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to fight against terrorism, especially focusing on the need to pay close attention to its manifestations in the region, and highlighted the importance of the Second Western Hemisphere Counterterrorism Ministerial, to be held on 19 July, in the city of Buenos Aires.
Welcomed the 3rd Argentina – Colombia Binational Meeting: Strengths and Challenges in the Fight against Human Trafficking and Assistance to Victims, and reaffirmed their commitment to continue implementing the Agreement between the Republic of Argentina and the Republic of Colombia on Prevention, and Investigation of Human Trafficking and on Assistance to and Protection of its Victims.
Discussed the upcoming General Assembly of the Organization of American States, which will be held in Medellín, and expressed their hope that, under Colombia's leadership, the Inter-American system will be renewed and strengthened, so that it contributes to the implementation of mutually beneficial actions related to the design and follow-up of Integrity and Anticorruption Policies.
President Macri thanked President Duque for his support for the candidacy of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile to jointly host the FIFA World Cup in 2030, and both leaders highlighted the joint organization of the 2020 Copa América as an example of friendship between both peoples.
The President of Colombia renewed his country's support for the legitimate rights of the Argentine Republic in relation to the sovereignty dispute with United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas. President Macri thanked Colombia for its constant support for Argentina's position in the Question of the Malvinas Islands.
During the visit, agreements in the following fields were signed:
- Creative Industries
- Tourism
- Agro-industry
- Fight against Corruption
For the Republic of Colombia For the Republic of Argentina
President Iván Duque Márquez President Mauricio Macri
Press Release No. 231/19
