23 May 2013
Cali, Colombia
Prime Minister Harper expressed his pleasure to be returning to Colombia and to be paying his first visit to Cali. He conveyed his appreciation for the invitation to participate at the Pacific Alliance Summit and for Colombia's support for Canada becoming an observer in October 2012. The Prime Minister commended the President for his and other members' leadership with the Pacific Alliance.
The leaders highlighted the strong and deepening bilateral relations between Canada and Colombia across a range of areas including cooperation and knowledge exchange in the extractive sector and expanding educational opportunities.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss President Santos' efforts to end the internal armed conflict in the country.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Harper announced new support for a development initiative that will help children in the Colombian provinces of Cauca and Nariño gain better access to quality education.
Canada and Colombia are celebrating the 60th anniversary of full diplomatic relations this year.
