Peru and Colombia optimistic for the FTA of the EU

Javier Landa

This Friday the voting for the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Peru and Colombia in Bundesrat, the upper house of the German Parliament, where representatives of the governments of the 16 states are represented. Many diplomats from the two South American countries are very optimistic.

Meanwhile Peru does not fear that the FTA with the European Union to be rejected, “we are optimistic that the trade agreement will be approved,” said the country’s ambassador Jose Antonio Meier to EFE in Germany.

“We have addressed the main concerns, expressing that the Peruvian government will continue working to ensure social and environmental sustainability, to promote and guarantee labor rights and ensure respect and protection of human rights as a fundamental pillar,” stated Meier.

While Colombia’s ambassador in Germany, Juan Mayr Maldonado, noted that the agreement passed by the Bundesrat committee with only one vote against. “It is noted that the plenary Bundarest probably will approve the treaty without much trouble,” said the ambassador.

Ecuador has not yet made any statements this matter; recently it is evaluating and rejecting certain policies of the thirteen Bilateral Investment Treaties (TBI). The regime of Rafael Correa has reported that certain clauses are contrary to the Constitution. Javier Landa, the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of Spain in Ecuador said, “that the process (of complaint) has not started, but we have announced that they will be among the countries. What we hope is that the alternative appears quickly…” said Landa.