Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez signed 16 bilateral treaties that seek to improve trade relations between the two neighboring countries.
“It was a very productive meeting. We have passed eight months after the decision to proceed with a process on different fronts to strengthen ties between Venezuela and Colombia,” Santos said in a joint press conference after the meeting that lasted all afternoon.
“We signed 16 treaties regarding infrastructure projects, that will strengthen integration, for example the construction of poliducts, oil pipes and roads,” the Colombian head of state specified.
According to Santos, the two presidents also come to agreements regarding the outstanding Venezuelan debt to Colombian exporters, tourism and development in the border region and the countries’ fight against drug trafficking.
Earlier that day, the two presidents were joined by Honduran President Porfirio Lobo, to discuss his country’s rejoining the Organization of American States, from which Honduras was banned after the ousting of former President Manuel Zelaya, a political ally of the Venezuelan president.
Following the unannounced visit, Lobo told reporters that Chavez would not resist Honduras’ return to the OAS.