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Brazil, Colombia boost trade ties

Brazil, Colombia boost trade ties
CARLOS ALBERTO GONZALEZ ASSOCIATED PRESS
Originally published 05:06 a.m., July 20, 2008, updated 04:59 a.m., July 20, 2008

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (AP) - The presidents of Brazil and Colombia vowed Saturday to boost trade and investment between their nations ahead of crucial world trade talks next week.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged Colombia and other South American countries to increase regional trade ties "so we aren't left dependent on a single partner," such as the U.S. or European Union.
Silva also asked European leaders attending the so-called Doha Round trade talks next week in Geneva to maintain farm ties with poor and developing nations, which have demanded that wealthy countries slash farm tariffs and subsidies that they say hinder development.
Wealthy nations have meanwhile insisted that developing countries grant manufacturers and service providers better access to their markets. The impasse looms large as negotiators gather to try to save seven years of frustrating talks on a new global trade pact next week.
"We want to negotiate, but we don't want to keep our countries from having the opportunity to develop in the 21st century," Silva said, adding that he is optimistic an agreement can be reached giving "poor nations better opportunities in international trade."
Silva also criticized a set of controversial European Union immigration guidelines, passed in June, that seek to standardize deportation processes, fingerprint all visitors and use a satellite system to keep out illegal immigrants. The measures were widely panned across Latin America. All 27 EU governments must approve them before they can take effect.
"The only thing we want is for our brothers to be treated the same way as we treated them (Europeans) when they came here," Silva said of the guidelines.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe meanwhile urged Brazil to boost investment in his country, particularly in infrastructure and biofuel projects. More than 30 large Brazilian steel, oil and other companies now operate in Colombia, while Colombian state oil company Ecopetrol has been invited to help develop huge oil fields recently discovered in Brazil.
Brazil also announced plans to spend $650 million on a railroad that will transport 10 million tons of coal a year through three Colombian states _ its latest move to finance infrastructure projects that will expand its reach in markets across South America.
Brazil exported about $2.2 billion in goods to Colombia last year, while Colombia sent about $500 million to Brazil.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/20/brazil-colombia-boost-...

By Monpirri on Jul 20, 2008, 17:03 in Friendly Talkzone.

Monpirri says on Jul 20, 2008, 19:14:

For those who do not keep up with the International news, just remember who has been our friends for couple of years within South America.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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