Working meeting with the Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Consuelo Araujo Castro in Geneva
Berne, 02.02.2007 - President Micheline Calmy-Rey, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, today received her Colombian counterpart Maria Consuelo Araujo Castro for a working meeting. The focus of the talks, held in a very cordial atmosphere, was on peace issues, human security and human rights.
In the discussions, exchanges between Switzerland and the Republic of Colombia on the armed conflict in Colombia and the prospect of a negotiated settlement were intensified. Switzerland and a number of other states are trying to promote dialogue between the Colombian government and the various armed groups. Switzerland is also providing humanitarian aid for victims and seeking to bring about a humanitarian agreement on the release of hostages. This would be a first step towards a negotiated solution to the conflict.
The traditionally friendly relations between Switzerland and Colombia will be consolidated and renewed through a series of bilateral agreements in the coming months. An investment protection agreement can be ratified as soon as the parliaments of both countries have approved it. Negotiations are under way on a double taxation agreement, and preliminary discussions have already taken place about the completion of a free trade agreement between Colombia and EFTA and a bilateral agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal proceedings.
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