By invitation of the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, the Argentine President, Mauricio Macri, made a State Visit to the Republic of Colombia on 15 June 2016.
On this occasion, President Santos thanked President Macri for the Argentine Government’s willingness to cooperate by sending unarmed observers to the United Nations Political Mission in Colombia to monitor and verify the laying down of arms and a definitive bilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, as well as to participate in the “Global Demining Initiative for Colombia”.
In addition, both Presidents expressed their intention to design joint cooperation schemes in support of peacebuilding in Colombia, mainly in relation to agriculture and agro-industry projects. For this reason, during Macri’s visit, relevant authorities of both countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia and the Ministry of Agro-Industry of Argentina. The purpose of this instrument is to make progress in incorporating new areas of agriculture and livestock production, in an efficient and sustainable way, into the framework of Argentine cooperation with the aim of promoting competitive, equitable and sustainable development of the agriculture and livestock sectors in Colombia.
Within the framework of the extensive agenda discussed, both Presidents also expressed, among other issues, their interest in strengthening and diversifying bilateral cooperation in the fields of defence, security and justice, mainly in relation to the fight against the world drug problem, human trafficking, and digital security. Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of the technical and scientific cooperation carried out for the implementation of the Bank of Genetic Profiles of Disappeared People in Colombia and undertook to explore possibilities for joint actions in matters related to the environmental agenda, in addition to welcoming their cooperation in the construction of historical memory, the fight against discrimination and gender mainstreaming.
In addition, President Macri once again received Colombia’s support for the legitimate sovereign rights of Argentina over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.
Concerning the commercial relations between the two countries, both Presidents underscored the need to strengthen bilateral trade and mutual investment and to make progress in eliminating measures affecting the free circulation of goods and services between the two countries. In this respect, they agreed on the need to strengthen exchanges in the automotive sector.
President Santos highlighted the recent decision made by the Council of Ministers of the Pacific Alliance to admit Argentina as an Observer State.
Furthermore, both Presidents congratulated each other on the World Economic Forum on Latin America, held on 16-17 June in the city of Medellin. At the Forum, both Presidents participated in a panel discussion and then had lunch with Felipe González and the main CEOs of the companies attending the Forum.
The profound and productive exchange of views between the two Presidents led to the signing of the Presidential Declaration which covers the most important issues of their bilateral relation.
Macri’s visit also afforded the opportunity for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the fields of Technology, Logistics, and Maintenance of Waterways and Harbours, aimed at promoting and developing relations for the benefit of both Parties in respect of technical exchange and institutional support in the sector of waterways, port, river and logistic infrastructure.
In addition, the two Presidents signed the “Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in Rugby as a Means for Social Inclusion”, in which they agreed to strengthen bilateral activities in connection with this sport as a means for social inclusion, with a view to promoting sports in municipalities linked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia to the sport and cultural diplomacy initiative.
During the lunch offered by the President of Colombia in honour of President Macri, both Presidents and the officials present met with some of the most important businesspersons of both countries and with various figures who had been invited for the occasion.
President Macri also had a meeting with the Mayor of Bogotá, from whom he received the keys to the city.
Macri also met with the President of the Court of Justice and with the Presidents of the Congress and the Chamber during his visits to the Court and the National Congress.
Press Release No. 188/16
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