Publicacion turismo

Our World
Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Working hand in hand towards a new era
This supplement to USA TODAY was produced by United World Ltd.: Suite 179, 34 Buckingham Palace Road - London SW1W 0RH - Tel: 44 20 7409 3106 - ourworld@unitedworld-usa.com - www.unitedworld-usa.com INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

COLOMBIA

President Santos steps up foreign relations drive
Colombia’s President is engagedin global efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and is also working with other nations to improve multinational understanding in the region

Presidents Santos and Obama met in April 2011 to discuss cooperation between the two nations in security, economic and social issues

olombia and the United States have built a strong, longstanding relationship based upon respect,cooperation, and common goals. Some of the values both countries share are democracy, individual freedom and freedom of the press, the rule of law, economic prosperity, and the expansion of opportunities for all. Now is time for the next step. When Juan Manuel Santos Calderon was elected President in August 2010, he took over the reins of a very different coun-

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try than the one his predecessorAlvaro Uribe had inherited in 2002. Colombia’s transformation over the past decade has been extraordinary, and where former president Uribe was faced with the task of regaining control of conflict-torn territory, President Santos presides over one of Latin America’s most successful and prosperous economies, and a regional leader in peace, justice and security. While continuing with Mr. Uribe’spro-market economic platform and democratic security policies, President Santos’ path since taking office has dif-

fered from his predecessor’s in several ways. Restoring relations with Venezuela and Ecuador, the new President has depolarized divisions within the country that marked Mr. Uribe’s presidency. He has also turned his attention to judicial reform, and launched a corruption probe into thenational anti-drug trafficking agency. He has worked to amplify the agenda with the U.S. beyond the free trade agreement, and has initiated important new legislation, such as the Victims’ and Land Restitution Law,

which has been globally applauded. In May this year, Congress approved the new anti-corruption law, hailed by President Santos as the most ambitious ever seen in Colombian Congress.Prohibiting the state from contracting political campaign contributors while the supported candidate is in office, the law aims to close the revolving door between public and private sectors. Through this anti-corruption initiative, coupled with others in matters of security, Colombia has proven to be not only

a regional leader, but a global trendsetter to watch. President Santos has also mademoves to ensure a more equitable distribution of the country’s mineral and hydrocarbon wealth through his ‘Prosperity for All’ national development program, while working to guarantee best practice and the protection of human rights. The President’s economic platform is focused on the sustainable development of five economic engines: agriculture, infrastructure, housing, innovation and energy, andtargets annual GDP growth of 5%.

Ready for business and new open doors with U.S.
Human rights, democracy, energy, technology, and social and economic development are listed in the new agenda between the U.S. and Colombia

‘TODAY, COLOMBIA IS A COUNTRY THAT HAS THE CAPACITY AND THE EXPERIENCE TO COLLABORATE IN REGIONAL AND GLOBAL ISSUES’

GABRIEL SILVA LUJAN, Ambassador of Colombia to the U.S.After more than a decade of Plan Colombia – the country’s successful strategy to combat drug terrorism in collaboration with the U.S. – Colombia is ready for a new era in its relations with its northern ally and largest trading partner. In September 2010, President Santos met with President Obama to discuss a wider agenda between the two countries that moves beyond security issues to include...