Leuthard talks trade in Bogotá
Swiss Economics Minister Doris Leuthard, on a four-day visit to Colombia, has met President Álvaro Uribe in Bogotá to discuss bilateral ties and trade.
Discussions centred on Colombia’s negotiations for a trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association that Leuthard said should come into force in the coming year.
Leuthard confirmed that Switzerland wished to increase its commitment in the South American country. Colombia is one of seven nations selected by Switzerland for greater development cooperation.
Trade between the two countries has doubled in the past four years to more than SFr1 billion ($930 million).
On the subject of human rights, Leuthard said that the protection of unions in Colombia must be improved. Union officials have recently been subjected to politically motivated violent attacks.
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