Ministers from Colombia and Venezuela met in Caracas Wednesday to discuss border security, regional politics and trade.
In preparation for the upcoming meeting between Presidents Juan Manuel Santos and Hugo Chavez, Colombia’s Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin, Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera, and Trade Minister Sergio Diaz Granados met their Venezuelan counterparts to discuss border security, regional politics and trade issues.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro told press before the commencement of the meeting that among the issues to be discussed are, “cooperation agreements on security and drug trafficking, border security, and a bi-national and regional agenda,” reported the European Press Agency.
Maduro added that the event was “a working meeting we normally establish between governments to maintain the rhythm and follow the agenda that the presidents established and prepare for the meeting of the two leaders in Colombia.”
Colombian is also seeking to restore trade relations with neighboring Venezuela, which is expected to leave the Andean Community of Nations trade bloc in April 2011.
The meeting will also review agreements between the two countries signed in 2010 and establish a date for the two heads of state to meet, according to newspaper El Nacional.