The Head of State said that the ratification of the agreement will be a good signal so investment flows to Colombia. He asked Colombian citizens who live in the United States to send e-mails to the congressmen asking them for the approval of the Agreement between both countries.

Rhode Island, United States, June 11 (SP). President Álvaro Uribe Vélez reiterated his call to the United States congressmen for the approval of the FTA between Colombia and the United States. He insisted in the importance of this trade agreement for our country.

“The approval of the Free Trade Agreement with the United States is necessary for the world to trust in Colombia”, the Leader highlighted during a gathering with Colombian citizens.

A woman from the audience suggested sending a letter to Senator Eduard Kennedy, asking for help with the FTA with Colombia. President Uribe answered to this, by asking Colombian citizens who live in the United States to send e-mails to American congressmen asking them for the approval of the trade agreement.

“That is a vital point and thank you lady. Who of you have internet? Use it every day. Send a message every day supporting the FTA with Colombia. Colombians now how to kindly ask for things.

Write Senator Kennedy, to all Senators, to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; to all Representatives; to Charles Randall. Write to all of them, so they can approve the Free Trade Agreement. Do that homework everyday, an internet message. We need that message to get to the Congress of the United States, as the lady said. I am here to ask you that, my dear citizens”, President Uribe said.

He expressed that if his country is fighting to get the approval from the Congress for the Agreement, is because both nations share a democratic and freedom sense of values, and because Colombia is an important ally of the United States.

He also said that the agreement is vital, because it will be a signal for investment to keep flowing to Colombia.

“We are negotiating with several countries, and other countries can ask themselves: Why negotiating with Colombia if the United States has not ratified its agreement? The ratification of this agreement is a gesture that will be received from the world, it is a sign that investment must flow to Colombia”, the Head of State pointed.

In Addition, he reminded the efforts of the country to extradite more than 1000 drug traffickers and the eradication of illegal drugs crops, and he declared that an agreement between both countries will help to end with this scourge.

“The Free Trade Agreement has to be a step forward so Colombia can get rid of drug trafficking and also terrorism, which is financed by the traffic of drugs” he pointed. 

He reminded that Colombia is the leader of the continent in seizing illegal capital, but beside these efforts, the country also needs investment to give alternatives to Colombians, and that is why it is important to have a Free Trade Agreement.