Bogota, May 21 (EFE). – The British Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, this Sunday in Bogota expressed his country’s support for peace to the Colombian President, Gustavo Petro, who announced additional resources for 3, 6 million Britons. pounds (about $4.5 million).
“From protecting the Amazon and fighting climate change, to promoting peace and security, the UK wants to be a key partner and friend of Colombia,” said Cleverly, who met Petro at Casa de Nariño, the seat of the executive.
After spending three days in Colombia, he wittily added, he leaves “more convinced than ever of the value and strength of our long friendship and of what we can achieve together in the years to come.”
In his meeting with Petro, the British Foreign Secretary stressed the UK’s commitment to supporting peace and security in Colombia, by strengthening bilateral cooperation, supporting civil society, and in the UN Security Council, among which is your country. Permanent member.
In this direction, Cleverly announced to Petro that the United Kingdom has allocated 3.6 million pounds sterling (about 4.5 million dollars), which are resources that will be devoted to security and peace, and are part of a total investment of 80 million pounds sterling (about 99.6 million dollars). dollars) since the signing of the peace agreement.
Cleverly announced Saturday, during a visit to San Jose del Guaviare, on the Orinoquia border with the Amazon, that his country will allocate 13 million pounds (about $16.1 million) to combat deforestation and other crimes against the environment in Colombia.
The two countries also announced on Sunday the launch of a new UK-Colombia Energy Transition Action Plan, through which that European country will accompany Colombia in its transition towards a greener and more sustainable economy.
This framework will allow the two countries to exchange expertise in areas such as wind energy, green hydrogen and sustainable infrastructure.
They also promised to promote the revitalization of Colombia’s railway sector through a new corporate alliance.
Other issues dealt with
The meeting between Petro and Cleverley also discussed key regional and international issues, such as “the shared interest of the United Kingdom and Colombia in holding free and fair elections in Venezuela in 2024”.
Last April, Colombia hosted the international conference on the political process in Venezuela, and 20 countries participated in it, including the United States.
Cleverly also said that “the international response to the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia” was discussed with the Colombian head of state, without elaborating.
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