Colombian Senate President Armando Benedetti met Thursday in Bogota with the spokesperson of the European Parliament (E.P.).
Jaume Duch Guillot of the E.P. met with Benedetti to discuss support for Colombia in economic and social areas, as well as to update the senator on recent developments in the E.U. The two men discussed the new powers of the E.P., and the importance of cooperation between the E.U. and the Colombian legislature.
“It’s good that relations are being strengthened in light of the new work that brings us closer to Colombian institutions,” Duch Guillot said.
Colombia currently has a pending free trade agreement with the E.U., which was signed on May 13, but is awaiting ratification due to human rights concerns. Colombian Vice President Angelino Garzon met with E.U. officials when he visited Europe in October to support of the agreement
“We want to consolidate ourselves as an example for the region in respecting human rights and international humanitarian law. We are also friends of trade agreements and are grateful for the political groups who support us, because without doubt this type of trade agreement will improve living conditions in recipient countries,” Garzon said.