State Secretary Waldner concludes MoU on strengthening economic relations with Columbia

Vienna/Bogota, 30 January 2012 - Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner met Columbia's Vice President Garzón for a working meeting on the first stage of his official visit to Latin America. "The Vice President and I discussed the bilateral relations between Austria and Columbia, the endeavours geared at improving the human rights situation in Columbia and the 6th session of the EU-Columbia Human Rights Dialogue taking place today", the State Secretary said and added: "Human rights have found a powerful advocate in Columbia in the former trade unionist Angelino Garzón."

State Secretary Waldner and the President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Christoph Leitl are currently visiting Latin American countries together with a 30 member strong Austrian business delegation. "The demand for Austria's cutting-edge technology is high in Columbia", State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner explained. "Against this background I have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding on our future business and technology cooperation today with Columbian Vice Foreign Minister Mónica Lanzetta Mutis", the State Secretary continued.

"Austrian companies signed orders worth over 44 million euros on the first day of our tour in a ceremony at the Austrian Embassy", Waldner said. Austria's expertise in hydropower, infrastructure and communication networking is of particular interest to Latin American partners, the State Secretary added.

In a meeting of State Secretary Waldner and Gustavo Petro, Mayor of Bogotá, a city of 8 million inhabitants, that is planned for today, discussions will revolve around the possibility of further Austrian investment. "Bogotá is the largest city without an underground railway worldwide, but this will soon change", Waldner said. "For the current year alone, Columbia is planning transport infrastructure projects worth 2.4 billion euros, offering great possibilities for Austrian companies."

The fight against drugs was another topic on the agenda of Waldner’s meeting with the Columbian Vice Foreign Minister in addition to business issues. "We are pleased to note that Columbia takes the greatest interest in the International Anti Corruption Academy, which has its headquarters in Austria", the State Secretary concluded.

Contact:
Federal Ministry for
European and International Affairs
Press Department
Tel.: ++43 (0) 50 1150-3262, 4549, 4550
Fax: ++43 (0) 50 1159-213
mailto:abti3(at)bmeia.gv.at