Joint Statement by India and Colombia during visit of Foreign Minister of Colombia
11/11/2009
The Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Colombia, Mr. Jaime Bermudez Merizalde made an official visit to India 10-11 November 2009 at the invitation of the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, Shri S.M. Krishna. The Foreign Minister of Colombia was accompanied by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of the Republic of Colombia, Mr. Luis Guillermo Plata.
2. The visit took place during the Golden Jubilee year of the establishment of bilateral relations between India and Colombia. The Ministers expressed satisfaction over the growing bilateral relations that have strengthened and diversified in the last 50 years.
3. The Ministers held extensive discussions covering bilateral, regional and global issues. They decided to encourage exchange of high-level visits between the countries and regularly hold Foreign Office Consultations, the last round of which was held in Delhi in April 2009.
4. The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral trade and economic linkages and the interest of the business community in both countries to initiate joint ventures in various sectors. Both sides acknowledged the significant role played by the apex chambers of commerce and industry, business federations, investment promotion agencies in both countries and business entities such as the Colombia-India Chamber of Commerce in Bogota and The TEQUENDAMA Group in India, in facilitating commercial and investment ties. The Ministers noted that leading Indian companies have undertaken significant investments in Colombia in various sectors such as oil & hydrocarbons, mining, engineering, chemicals, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and information technology. They acknowledged the contribution of the MOUs signed between business Chambers and Federations of both countries and celebrate the signature during this visit of the MOU between ANDI and NASSCOM.
5. Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) and a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Bamboo were signed during the visit. The Ministers also stressed the need for early finalization of agreements on Extradition; Mutual Legal Assistance; Mining; Energy, Health; Education, Agriculture, public services and other areas of mutual interest. Both sides also agreed to expedite talks for finalization of a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. With the signing of these agreements, economic and commercial ties will be further strengthened and ongoing bilateral engagement will be diversified.
6. Cooperation in the ICT sector is already being pursued under a bilateral MoU signed in 2002. Both sides underlined the importance of collaboration in new and renewable energy sources and on collaboration in outer space. The ratification of the Bilateral Agreement on cooperation in Science and Technology provides an important instrument for collaboration in these and other sectors.
7. Both countries welcomed prospects for strengthening ongoing bilateral technical cooperation under the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation Programme [ITEC]. The number of Scholarships offered to Colombia under India´s ITEC programme in 2009-10 was increased in mid-year from 25 to 30, which is a reflection of the Colombian interest in the programme and its continued success. In parallel the Ministers expressed satisfaction at the process of cooperation and MOUs signed between 10 (ten) Universities of both countries.
8. The two Ministers also held discussions on multilateral issues of mutual interest such as international financial and economic crisis; UN Reform; Climate Change in the context of UNFCCC in Copenhagen; Terrorism and Narco-trafficking and; exchanged views on regional developments in South Asia and Latin America and Caribbean.
9. The Ministers emphasized the essential role of the UN for maintaining global peace and security, for promoting the economic and social advancement of all people and for meeting global threats and challenges. India and Colombia stressed the need to implement the process of UN reforms to make it more representative, legitimate and effective. Moreover, they agreed that any expansion and restructuring of the Security Council must reflect contemporary realities, more representative, increase transparency, democracy and include developing countries. The Ministers thanked each other for the mutual support for the candidatures of India and Colombia for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the period 2011-12.
10. Foreign Minister of Colombia H.E. Jaime Bermudez expressed deep shock and anguish over the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and reiterated the need for intensifying global cooperation in combating international terrorism. He reiterated the condolences of the people and government of Colombia on these terrorist attacks. He expressed the hope that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to justice. They strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whoever, wherever and for whatever purpose and stressed that there can be no justification, whatsoever, for any acts of terrorism. Colombia and India are convinced that the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism would become a vital law enforcement instrument in international joint counter-terrorism efforts.
11. The Foreign Minister of Colombia recalled that an invitation has been extended by India to H.E. Dr. Alvaro Uribe, President of the Republic of Colombia for undertaking a State Visit to India. Both countries agreed to work out mutually convenient dates through diplomatic channels for scheduling the State Visit.
12. The Ministers expressed appreciation over the cultural activities developed such as translation and edition of contemporary literature, exhibitions of Art, the gatherings of writers and organising Festivals of Colombia in India in October 2008 and 2009 and the proposal of organising Festival of India in Bogota in December 2009.
13. The Foreign Minister of Colombia thanked the Government of India and External Affairs Minister of India for the kind hospitality rendered to him and to his delegation during the visit and invited him to visit Colombia in near future.
New Delhi
November 11, 2009