The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, met on Tuesday, 18 November, with his Colombian counterpart, Yolanda Villavicencio, with whom he renewed the Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development for the next five years, which will enable continued work on shared priorities such as gender equality, institutional strengthening and climate change, among others. The two ministers also signed the declaration resulting from the High-Level Commission between the two countries, which covers various aspects of the bilateral relationship in areas such as legal and consular cooperation, cultural and educational affairs, science and technology, economics and trade, and politics.
The two ministers addressed issues such as the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime, security and the recognition of qualifications. They also discussed the commitment to increase coordination at the regional and global levels, with a view to the upcoming Ibero-American Summit and in light of complex situations such as those in Venezuela, Palestine and Ukraine.
During the meeting, Albares stated that Spain and Colombia have forged strong bilateral relations that have brought us closer together and made Colombia a strategic partner for Spain in Ibero-America today. In this regard, he recalled that, in a year's time, Spain will host the 2026 Ibero-American Summit in Madrid and requested Colombia's active participation with the aim of consolidating and revitalising the Ibero-American system.
Albares also congratulated the technical and political teams of both countries for their rigorous work and for their sensitivity and strategic vision in all the subcommittees, as well as all those involved in the development of this renewed framework for sustainable development partnership. Through this signing, the Spanish minister considered that Spain reaffirms its willingness to continue walking alongside Colombia, not only as a technical partner, but also as a political ally, as a friendly country that believes in the transformative potential of our policies.
For images of the event click here.
—NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION—