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| Slovakia and Columbia: Similar dynamics and ambitions, with very close views |
| Bogota, 31.03.2015 |
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| “We consider Columbia as a close ally and partner of Slovakia and the entire European Union and we are interested in expanding mutual cooperation,” stated Miroslav Lajèák, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, in Bogota during his official visit to Columbia. “It is only natural that dynamic and ambitious countries such as ours, seek to do more together both in the political and economic areas,” emphasized Minister Lajèák after talks with his Columbian departmental counterpart, María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, in which they agreed that the existing potential for bilateral relations is still not fully used.
Columbia is a partner with very close views to Slovakia’s on many issues within Latin America. Columbia currently ranks among the strongest countries with the most dynamic economic growth on the continent and has a free trade zone agreement with the EU which presents favourable prerequisites for more intensive trade exchange. In this regard Columbia sees opportunities for exporting flowers, agricultural products and coffee. Slovakia’s interest focuses on energy, new technologies and innovation as well as the defence industry. Columbia has a major problem with land-mined areas, a carryover from a long ongoing conflict with the FARC rebel group with whom the Columbian government has currently been negotiating a peace agreement. “We fully support the peace process and believe it will bring positive outcomes soon. The EU is prepared to assist in implementation of the peace agreements, once they have been reached,” assured the minister his partners in Bogota.
Minister Lajèák also expressed his support for the integration activities by the Pacific Alliance that associates Columbia, Mexico, Chile and Peru. Minister Lajèák and Minister María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar engaged in a detailed discussion of specific experiences in the functioning of regional groups such as the Pacific Alliance and the Visegrad Four. They jointly expressed interest in deepening practical cooperation between these two regional platforms.
During his visit to Bogota Minister Lajèák gave a presentation in Columbia’s Diplomatic Academy in which he talked about Slovakia’s way in becoming an independent state and then an active member of the European Union and the Eurozone, and the ways of addressing global crises and challenges while emphasizing that the most effective way to find solutions is dialogue and cooperation between international actors.
Minister Lajèák also met with the Honorary Consul of Slovakia in Medellin, Columbian business leader Jenaro Pérez Gutiérrez, who received the “Best Business Leader 2014” award from the President of Colombia J.M. Santos, on the previous day. Minister Lajèák expressed his congratulations on the award and appreciated the engagement of Mr. Pérez Gutiérrez as the Honorary Consul for Slovak citizens and business leaders. The office of an honorary consul is an honorary one, not paid by the state, and the holders of this office usually apply self-financing from their own business activities, as does Mr. Pérez Gutiérrez who does business in the dairy industry and cooperates on production and delivery of waste water treatment units.
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Address : Euro-Brew Ltd., Hlboká 22, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia
Tel. : +421 33 53 418 53, Fax : +421 33 53 418 52, E-mail : info@eurobrew.sk |
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