The Philippines and Colombia reaffirmed their “excellent” bilateral ties and have agreed to enhance cooperation across a broad range of areas, such as security; climate change and disaster risk reduction and management; promoting culture, tourism, and sports; exchanging research and study opportunities.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the agreement transpired during their 4th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) meeting at a hotel in Manila last November 23, 2018.
The Philippines and Colombian delegation were headed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Luz Stella Jara, respectively.
During the meeting, the Philippines welcomed the recent opening of the Embassy of Colombia in Manila, and expressed its willingness to consider opening an Embassy of the Philippines in Colombia.
Both sides agreed to pursue negotiations on pending agreements on Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and Visa Waiver, and agreed to formalize the exchange programs for the youth with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the matter.
Both sides further committed to deepen their bilateral economic cooperation by exploring trade and investment opportunities in sectors such as information technology and business process outsourcing, electrical products, and creative industries.
The DFA said the Philippines and Colombia also exchanged views on regional developments in Asia and Latin America including updates on Asean, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the Pacific Alliance.
“Both sides agreed on the need to sustain cooperation in multilateral and inter-regional fora, such as the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), and the United Nations.”
It added that both sides reaffirmed the importance of the BCM in further expanding and deepening bilateral ties between the two countries, reviewing the agreed action points, and exploring new areas and forms of cooperation.
“Colombia expressed its appreciation to the Philippines for the organization of the 4th BCM in Manila. The two sides agreed to convene the 5th BCM in Colombia in 2019,” the DFA said.