Colombia requests U.S. Congress to approve FTA

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Tuesday requested the U.S. Congress to approve the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between both countries.


Santos made the appeal when visiting a flower farm west of Bogota as part of the celebrations of the International Women's Day.


"I call upon the U.S. Congressmen to meet their commitments to a strategic partner, as Colombia has been fighting drug trafficking and struggling for freedom and democracy," Santos said.


Santos thanked the U.S. Congressmen for their support to the FTA and said the important thing now "is to turn these words into concrete actions".


Santos stressed that the approval of the FTA would ensure good quality employment for many Colombians.


Santos also reaffirmed support to Colombian exporters and growers, saying the government would guarantee loans for them to maintain normal export to the United States.


Since it was signed in August 2006, the U.S.-Colombian FTA has been waiting for ratification by the U.S. legislators, who have dragged their feet on the approval, demanding Colombia work harder on human rights and job security.


Failure to approve the trade deal has led Colombia to look for other trade destinations, especially Asia-Pacific countries, said Santos in a recent interview with the New York Times.
(Source:http://news.xinhuanet.com)