U.S. President Barack Obama expressed support for a bilateral trade deal and suggested two terms in office are sufficient when he hosted his Colombian counterpart Álvaro Uribe on June 29.
During the annual Bogotá City Conference, AS/COA's Susan Segal discussed the global financial situation, the Colombian economy's expected growth, and COA's commitment to supporting free trade polivies during economic recovery. (en español)
In the thirteenth AS/COA Bogota Conference, President Álvaro Uribe talked about his government's efforts to build confidence in the face of global economic challenges. Panelists also offered insight into financial and energy issues.
A Canadia-Colombia free trade deal awaits parliamentary approval in Ottawa. Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin writes that, despite resistance among some members of Parliament, "Colombia needs a helping hand—not a cold shoulder."
The Colombian Senate brought President Colombia's Álvaro Uribe a step closer to a third term when it approved a bill allowing for a reelection referendum. But the president has not yet made his intentions clear about a possible candidacy. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos resigned and may join the race.
Earlier this week, Colombian lawmakers approved a controversial referendum bill that paves the way for President Álvaro Uribe to seek a third consecutive term in office. While Uribe has not said whether he intends to run again, he has certainly done nothing to discourage the idea.
By striking free-trade agreements with Colombia and Peru, "Canada is taking a leadership role in the logical and inevitable move toward freer trade," writes Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin.
