Commerce Secretary Evans and Colombian President
Uribe Talked Trade, Investment and Cooperation
Commerce
Secretary Don Evans and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe today held
discussions aimed at deepening and strengthening commercial relations
between the two countries, including resolving critical trade and
investment issues.
“The
United States enjoys a strong relationship with Colombia, and we
greatly appreciate Colombia’s friendship and support in the
war on terrorism. I also want to thank President Uribe and the people
of Colombia for their efforts in the global fight against drugs,”
said Secretary Evans. “Both terrorism and the drug trade have
the same effect –they threaten stability and stifle hope for
the future.”
“Improving
our commercial and trading relationship will help establish a strong
foundation for our two economies to flourish. While there is still
much work to do, we are committed to helping the people of Colombia
realize their economic destiny,” stated Evans.
Evans
and Uribe discussed ways to improve the trade and investment climate
in Colombia. Central to those discussions were trade benefits conferred
by the 2002 Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act. Evans
also stressed the importance of Colombia’s participation and
leadership in the on-going Free Trade Area of the America’s
negotiations.