October 20, 2021

19:10

Bruno Pacheco – from Cenarium

MANAUS – The governor of the Amazon, Wilson Lima (PSC), received on Tuesday, 19, at the Itamaraty in Brasilia, an invitation from the president of the Republic of Colombia, Iván Duque Márquez, for a meeting, still undefined date, in Leticia, Colombian city that borders the Amazon municipality of Tabatinga, to discuss new partnerships that benefit the population between the border countries.

The meeting between Wilson Lima and Iván Duque took place during a tribute to the Colombian president at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, at the invitation of the President of the Republic, Jair Messias Bolsonaro (No party). In a publication on social networks, the governor of Amazonas stressed the State’s relationship with the neighboring country.

“The country borders our state, through Tabatinga. We have a strong partnership relationship with Colombia, with actions in the areas of Public Safety, Health and Environment. President Iván Márquez invited us to meet soon in Leticia and discuss new partnerships that benefit our people”, wrote Wilson Lima, on Instagram.

Commitments

In Brazil since Sunday, 17, to sign border security agreements and strengthen the relationship between the countries, Iván Duque met on Monday, 18, in Sao Paulo, with investors, businessmen and leaders of economic sector entities before meeting President Bolsonaro, in Brasilia, and the presidents of the House of Representatives, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), and the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (DEM-MG).

The meeting in Brasilia served to sign seven agreements between Brazil and Colombia in the areas of police cooperation, trade, sanitation, agriculture, technical training, research, and air services. In a joint statement to the press at the end of the meeting, broadcasted by TV BRASIL, Duque spoke about the bilateral relationship between the countries and the preservation of the Amazon, as well as the intention to take the issue to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP-26, in Glasgow, Scotland, which starts on the next 31st.

“Our voice in Glasgow will be not only to work with the energy transition, to work for the reduction of [greenhouse gas] emissions, but also to work with carbon neutrality and to do it with a great protection of our tropical forests and our Amazon”, President Iván Duque emphasized.

In a brief statement, Bolsonaro highlighted the alliance between the countries and that Brazil will always be with open arms to receive Duque, besides reinforcing the union with Colombia during COP-26. “We will arrive united in Glasgow to deal with an issue that is very important and dear to all of us, our dear, rich, and desired Amazon”, Bolsonaro declared.

Investment

Also during the joint statement, President Iván Duque announced that about 60 Brazilian businessmen have committed to invest more than US$ 1.4 billion in Colombia, in several areas. According to him, this amount may exceed US$ 2.4 billion if investments in infrastructure are added.

“This figure can exceed US$ 2.4 billion when infrastructure investments are considered, where we will have a more important capital fund from this country,” explains Duque. “We have a growing trade relationship with Brazil, we want Colombia’s exports to Brazil to grow, but we also want Brazil’s exports to Colombia to grow simultaneously”, he said.