May 6, 2008
No. 107
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Colombia's Vice-President Francisco Santos Calderón is visiting Canada from May 6 to 9, 2008.
"I am pleased to welcome Vice-President Santos to Canada," said Minister Bernier. "I look forward to continuing the discussions that we began during my visit to Bogotá in February.
"The Colombian government has made significant progress in its efforts to promote peace and to lay the groundwork for greater prosperity. While in Colombia, I had the opportunity to witness the real contribution that Canada is making to these efforts."
Vice-President Santos is travelling to Canada to promote investment in Colombia and to strengthen relations between the two countries. During his meetings, he will discuss development assistance to Colombia and Canada-Colombia labour cooperation, as well as trade and investment issues.
In addition to meeting with Minister Bernier, the Vice-President will meet with Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Gerry Ritz, Minister of the Environment John Baird, Minister of International Cooperation Beverley Oda, and trade officials. He will also meet with Canadian business people, civil society organizations and academics to share views on recent developments in Colombia.
Canada's engagement with Colombia includes free trade negotiations and development assistance, as well as support to Colombia's peace processes and continuing dialogue on human rights. Canada supports Colombia's chairmanship of the upcoming General Assembly of the Organization of American States to be held in Medellín, Colombia, June 1 to 3. The growing relationship between the two countries reflects the dynamic community of over 40,000 Canadians of Colombian origin.
For further information on Canada-Colombia bilateral relations, please consult the following websites:
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/geo/columbia-bb-en.aspx
Canadian International Development Agency
www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/colombia
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
