Colombia signs a cooperation plan for the Belt and Road Initiative
Photo: Fotografía oficial de la Presidencia de Colombia.
According to a report by IFM Noticias, on Wednesday, May 14, within the framework of the China-CELAC Forum, the Republic of Colombia signed a cooperation plan for the Belt and Road Initiative of the People’s Republic of China. The signing was carried out by Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, who stated that it is an instrument that will strengthen the bilateral relationship between both nations.
According to the Colombian Foreign Ministry, the signing of this cooperation plan will allow the country to access new opportunities in areas such as technological cooperation, sustainable development, and investments in various sectors.
Specifically, it was noted that through the Belt and Road Initiative, efforts will be made to promote projects in sectors such as technological infrastructure, non-reimbursable cooperation, energy transition, access to financing under concessional terms, agro-industry for food security, artificial intelligence, and a reindustrialization of the health sector.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that this cooperation plan does not constitute an international treaty, and therefore does not create obligations for the Colombian state nor has binding character. Because of this, any project that may develop as a result of this signing will be carefully analyzed to verify its feasibility.
During the ceremony in which the cooperation plan was signed, President Gustavo Petro held a conversation with President Xi Jinping, during which the Chinese leader expressed that his country is willing to increase its imports from Colombia and facilitate the participation of Chinese companies interested in investing or developing infrastructure projects in the South American country.
Regarding the signing of this plan, several Colombian politicians expressed their reactions concerning the possible risks and challenges this decision could entail. Among them was presidential pre-candidate and former senator David Luna, who stated that President Petro must explain the scope of this initiative and the commitments Colombia has undertaken.
Likewise, José Manuel Restrepo, former Minister of Finance, pointed out that Colombia’s possible entry to the Belt and Road Initiative could have negative impacts on the national industry. According to the former minister, due to the poor structuring of President Petro’s agenda on this commission, there remain significant doubts about what this signing represents for the country’s economy.
Additionally, Katherine Miranda, a member of the Chamber of Representatives for the Green Party, expressed that decisions of this magnitude should involve the participation of the legislative branch in the analysis of the agreements. She also emphasized that cooperation plans that could affect the country’s political and economic sovereignty should not be signed without prior debate.
Similarly, the business sector raised concerns. One of them was the president of the National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI), Bruce Mac Master, who commented that this decision by Gustavo Petro’s government could entail costs without real benefits for the country.
In response to these statements, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Laura Sarabia, affirmed that this agreement does not affect the country’s sovereignty nor will it have repercussions on its other bilateral relations within the international system. On the contrary, this signing will position the South American nation as a strategic actor in its relationship with Asia.
Main Source:
Colombia firmó ingreso a la Ruta de la Seda con China: Crecen dudas sobre sus efectos y falta de transparencia – ifm Noticias
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