United States.- President Joe Biden and his counterpart Iván Duquemet this Thursday to commemorate 200 years of diplomatic relations and with the intention of make Colombia a main NATO allyreported the White House.
Through a statement, the White House explained that United States intends to appoint Colombia as an important non-NATO ally in recognition of the close cooperation unique to the hemisphere.
Also, at that meeting the leaders they pledged to expand long-standing bilateral security cooperation, in a strategic partnership with positive bilateral, regional and global implications.
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They recognized that strengthening the security of Colombia is in the national security interest of United States, while agreeing to maintain strong cooperation to combat terrorism and transnational criminal actors, including drug and human smuggling and trafficking, as well as the malign influence of external actors.
As well, committed to advancing their drug policy strategy broader, holistic approach to counternarcotics focused on expanding access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services.
As well as reduce the supply of illicit drugs through renewed efforts linking eradication, interdiction, drug demand reduction, anti-money laundering efforts, and strong rule of law institutions.
Our comprehensive approach will combine rural security and development efforts and work to consolidate and sustain peace implementation and reconciliation programs, while ensuring criminal actors are brought to justice.
Biden explained that the crisis in Venezuela is a regional challenge, for which they both promised to support the restoration of democracy to the extent necessary to put an end to the political, economic and humanitarian crisis.
United States announced the donation of two million additional doses of vaccines to Colombia, including for displaced and migrant communities, this in order to end the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.
Biden and Duque agreed to prioritize investments in our shared prosperity through the Build Back Better World initiative focused on climate change, health and health technology, digital connectivity, and gender equity.
What’s more, pledged to ensure that the future of cooperation between the United States and Colombia is guided by an ongoing commitment to environmental and social justice, as well as racial equity and respect for human rights.
Finally, agreed to work in a new framework for how nations across the hemisphere collectively manage migration. The current migration crisis is bigger than any country and any border.
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The United States and Colombia urge the leaders of the Americas to join us in developing a Regional Declaration on Migration and Protection.
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