The Chancelleries of Colombia The US and Cuba held their first meeting of political consultations in six years in Havana this Wednesday, a sign of the relative bilateral rapprochement since the arrival of Gustavo Petro to the Colombian Presidency.
The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) indicated it’s a statement that it is the XII Meeting of the Mechanism for Political Consultations between the Foreign Ministry of both countries. The previous one took place in Colombia on December 8, 2016. “There was agreement regarding the potential that exists to advance political, economic, and cooperation ties,” the document states.
The XII Meeting of the Political Consultation Mechanism between #Cuba ?? and #Colombia ??.
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— Cuban Foreign Ministry (@CubaMINREX) November 23, 2022
The Cuban side thanked the solidarity and help offered by Colombia after the fire at the base of Matanzas Supertankers and the passage of hurricane ian, as well as recognized the support of the Colombian government for the resolution presented at the UN against the US blockade. This delegation was headed by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Josefina Vidal, while the Colombian representation was led by its Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francisco José Coy Granados.
Vidal recognized and thanked the “firm and just calling” of President Gustavo Petro for Cuba to be excluded from the “arbitrary and fraudulent” list of State sponsors of terrorism, in which it was incorporated by the United States Government. Likewise, he confirmed Cuba’s decision to continue supporting the dialogue process between Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN), based on the official request received from the latter.
For his part, the Colombian Vice Foreign Minister, quoted by efeaffirmed that “the regional situation is also positive for cooperation and trade” and thanked Cuba for its efforts in the different Colombian peace processes.
The Meeting, the note points out, served as the culmination of the IV Migration Round and the Intergovernmental Commission, held the day before. In this, both parties agreed to prioritize joint work in the execution of various cooperation and economic-commercial projects of interest to both nations, in sectors such as science and technology, energy, health, agriculture, environment, culture, education and politics. social.
Both meetings reflect the relative rapprochement of both countries after the distancing caused by the period of Iván Duque at the helm of Colombia (2018-2022).
Efe/OnCuba.
