President Juan Manuel Santos will travel to Europe this week to laud Colombia’s peace talks and economic development to the international community, reported national media on Monday.
Santos will start his scheduled meetings in Spain to discuss peace talks and visa policy with the leader of the Spanish government, Marianao Rajoy, and to meet with Colombian nationals on the Iberian Peninsula. He will also have lunch with European business leaders as well as meet with the King of Spain.
Later he will travel to Switzerland to participate in an international economic forum. Santos, who holds an advanced degree in economic development, will be a protagonist in at least four panel discussions during the forum, including anti-drug politics, the Pacific Alliance, the importance of Latin America as an investment destination and investment opportunity in Colombia once the armed conflict is ended.
The event will feature many of Europe’s most influential thought and economic leaders, and Santos will try to use the event to spur foreign investment in Colombia, a central element of his development strategy for the country.
With a reported $16.8 billion flowing into the country, 2013 marked the highest levels of foreign investment in Colombia’s history.
MORE: Colombia foreign investment in 2013 hits record high
Sources
- Colombia defenderá proceso de paz en Europa (Radio Caracol)