Received by RegiStration Unit 02/08/2018 6:37:z'l. . A. can}; -. 1? u. a. A February 7, 2018 u.s. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Visits Colombia Peace Agreement Implementation Colombia ?3 Accessmn to the OE CD and U.S.-Coiombia Counternarcotics Efforts Topped the Agenda On the sixth day Of his first multic0u?ntry trip to Latin America and the, Caribbean, US. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Colombia. He arrived in Bogota yesterday afternoon, where he met :with President Juan Manuel Santos, Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Angela Holguin and US. Ambassador to Colombia Kevin Whitaker. Topping the agenda were Colombian Peace Agreement implementation, US. support for Colombia?s accession to the OECD, advancing the bilateral economic partnership and shared responsibility in the ?ght against drugs. Following their meeting, PreSident Santos and Secretary Tillerson participated in a joint press availability, which yOu can click on the image below to watch. . . Received by Registration Unit 02/08/2018 6:37:55 PM I Received by Registration Unit 02/08/2018 6:37:55 PM President Santos stated: ?Colombia you havebeen able to see it firsthand - is making progress in the construction of peace. This is a complex process - a precess that takes time - and, although we have enormous challenges ahead, the fruits are'being seen. Throughout this process We have had the firm and determined support of the United States, a bipartisan, effective and unwavering support. Colombia is beginning 'to take advantage of its full potential. We have a long way to go, but we have made very important progress on crucial issues such as the fight against poverty, the development of infrastructure and the growth of our economy. ?We want to continue advancing along the path of development, and a very important element of' that process is our entry into the OECD. We thank Secretary Tillerson for his support in completing our accession process. - ?Colombia and the United States share the values of democracy and freedoms that our forefathers left us from their respectivehomelands, as wellas the interest of consolidating an increasingly prosperous and increasingly secure region. ?We have a broad and diverse agenda, and we look forward to continuing to work With you and the Administration of President Trump to further deepen our great . relationship - a relationship that is more than friends and partners rather than allies and partners. Read mere remarks here. Secretary Tillerson stated: ?The United States knows in Colombia we have first and foremost a partner who shares Our democratic values?and also a partner that is very capable as well. And I am grateful for this opportunity to say a few words about our priorities we talked about today that are important in the bilateral relationShip. ?We did discuss our concerns about the surge in coca cultivation and cocaine production in Colombia, but the President also gave me a very good report of the steps thatare being taken, the progress that?s being made, and he just spoke to much of that. And we'are quite encouraged by what we hear, and we will continue to work with Colombia to support these efforts where we can be of assistance as well. This is' a shared challenge for both of our nations as well to work together to undermine the transcriminal organizations that create the networks that are devastating for citizens in Colombia, and they?re devastating to the American people as well. And so We look forward to continuing that cooperation. - Received by Registration Unit 02/08/2018 6:37:55 PM .Recei'Ved by Registration Unit 02/08/2018 6:37:55 PM ?As you highlighted, we have had many, many years of joint law enforcement efforts I and have very strong laws in Colombia that help us deal with those who are apprehended as well. And we thank you for that. The U.S. Government does continue to support. Colombian poliCe and military forces, having trained?over 13,000 law enforcement here in the hemisphere as well. And we appreciate what Colombia has done for Central America as well, as you?ve mentioned too. "Colombia has been a key player in the hemisphere ?s efforts. to restore democracy in Venezuela, and the President spoke extensively about that, and we had a very extensive exchange on how we can work together, along with others in the. region, through the Lima Group, ultimately through the?OAS, to restore democracy in Venezuela. . Read more of Secretary Tillerso?n?s remarks here. In Tweets: Secretary Tillerson?s Visit . . . Department of State a Emme 09 ?[0019? . OSulelJem cm OCoIomosaEmbUSA Secretary Tillerson with @juanmansantos in This visit isga symbol of the deep and strong Bogota, The United States knows in pannersmp between COIOmbia and the #Colombia we have ?rst and foremost a @Stateoept partner who shares our democratic values 9me and also a partner who is very capable as well. 80cm Tnlomn awn mm mm mm Pruslaom Sam Secretary at State Rex mm and Colombian Juan Manuel Santos hold Secretary mlemn In Bogota arrivesin Sonora. Colombiaonmeary? 6.2016.- awm?urs' Department of State Deonmern of State 1 Received Registration Unit 02/08/2018 6:37:55 PM Received. by Registration Unit 02/08/2018" US Embassy Bogota GUSEmoansyBogom . El Secretario de Estado Rex Tillerson lleg? a #Bogota co?mo parte de su gira por la region. Fue recibido por el Embajador Kevin Whitaker, la \?ceministra de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia Patti Londo?o, el E?ibajador de Colombia e?n Estados Unidos. Camilo Reyes. 6 Trauma nun 3?10 PM 6 Feb 2018 [Embaiada De Colombia ?CoianmEmbUSA Juan Mapungantoso DJuanManSamns Nuestra agenda bilateral va mucho m?s all? de la lucha contra las drogas la promoci?'n de la seguridad. Seguiremos profundizando esta relaci?n con la adminis?traci?n de @realDonaldTrump, porque m?s Que aliados, Colombia EE.UU. son naciones amigas.? 6 7mm OMSW, n- I. Follow 3 It was an henor and a privilege to be a part of the official welcoming of US. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Bagota yesterday. The special U.S.?Colombia partnership continues to expand and grow stronger, as evidenced NS PM - 7 Feb 2018 by this important visit. - CR What We?re Reading Catch up On these recent stories about Colombia: 3 - Associated Press: "TillerSOn: US encouraged by Colombia Efforts to Reduce, Coca? February 6-, 2018(5Read) 1 Received by Registration Unit 02/08/2018 6:37:55 PM Received by Registration Unit 02/08/2018 6:37:55 PM Bloomberg View: "Six Steps on the Path to a Latin America Strategy? Op-ed by James Stavridis, retired US. Navy Admiral and former Military Commander of Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University February 6. 2018 (Read) 0 PGA Touncom: "Club Colombia Championship Features of Young Stars, Local Players? February 7, 2018 (Read) - -- The Independent: ?Colombia?s Long-hidden Wonders Open. up After Years of Violence" February 5, 2018 (Read) - Press: ?Colombia Opens Border Shelter for Venezuelans Fleeing Crisis" February 3, 2018 (Read) - Connect with Colombia. Learn about Colombia ?5 work in the United States through our?social channels: CANCILLERIA m3; Embassy ofColombio in the United States .. . Received by ARA Registration Unit 02/08/2018 6:37:55 PM