Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos on Sunday left the CELAC-EU, the economic summit between Latin American and European leaders, with a vote of confidence regarding the European Union’s fiscal future.
Santos said that the grand conclusion deduced from the economic summit over the weekend was that the European economic crisis will soon come to an end.
“We see Europe leaving its crisis behind,” Santos said. “And this is very important for Latin America…Europe is a partner that largely determines investment and trade in our country, and therefore, if Europe does well…Latin America does well.”
“I see it [the European economy] going in the right direction,” said Colombia’s president. “In fact, indicators show that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
The affirmation made by the Colombian president came at the end of a meeting with the president of the European Commission, the president of the European Council, and the president of Peru, Ollanta Humala.
“From what we have heard, from what we have discussed in this summit, we return to our countries more optimistic,” said Santos.
Background: Colombia, EU FTA expected to be implemented by March
Among other issues, the summit in Santiago, Chile addressed a provisional implementation of the free trade agreement between Peru, Colombia and the European Union. Santos and Colombia’s foreign minister, Maria Angela Holguin, reportedly met with Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel, who was particularly eager for the FTA’s implementation. Merkel’s support of Colombia’s impending induction into the OECD was also noted.