Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has welcomed his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez to Colombia at Cartagena airport on Saturday morning.
Upon arriving in the coastal city at around 11:00AM Saturday, Chavez was informed that Honduran President Porfirio Lobo will also be sitting in on the Presidential meeting to discuss the reinstatement of Honduras into the Organization of American States (OAS).
On arrival, Chavez stressed the historical ties between the two countries.”When we come to Colombia, we know and we are fully aware of where we are, what for and why. Cartagena is a heroic monument in these centuries to the struggle for full independence and full unity.”
“We have the same past, the same spirit, the same earth, the same flesh, the same destiny and the same future,” he added.
The leaders were to meet the on April 1 but the meeting was postponed due to flaws with the Venezuelan president’s plane.
During the meeting the leaders will discuss issues related to debt owed by the Venezuelan government to Colombian businessmen, border security and an agreement for exchange of tourists.
Santos said he hoped this meeting with Chavez will be a “productive and important step in building trust and strengthening our relationship.”