The Minister Luis Guillermo Plata said the outcome of the meetings he had this week with members of the Canadian Parliament, to promote the adoption of the trade agreement. In his speech to the International Committee of the House of Commons, the official said the agreement is a "basic tool for mutual economic development." After his visit to the Canadian Parliament, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Luis Guillermo Plata, said that "the Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada, could be ratified by the U.S. Congress in less than a month and a half". During the week, Silver attended a meeting of the International Committee of the House of Commons of Canada, which stressed the importance of ratifying the Treaty. The Minister explained that the agreement was a "basic tool for mutual economic development." Also during his presentation to the Committee, composed of five members of the opposition Conservative Party and Liberal representatives of four, two of the block of Quebec, and one of the New Democratic Party, the official spoke on the progress Colombia has had in issues related to respect for human rights and the rights of workers. Also, he reviewed the progress of the Government of President Alvaro Uribe Velez in the fight against impunity. The Head of the Trade portfolio was optimistic about the receptiveness of the members of Parliament, who held individual meetings to explain the need to ratify the agreement for the two nations. During the visit to Ottawa (Canada), the Minister was accompanied by the Ambassador of Colombia in that country, Jaime Giron Duarte, the Asocolflores delegate for the official visit, Rebecca Lee, the Presidential Adviser on Mining and Energy issues, Rafael Unda and the President of the Union of the Empresas Publicas de Medellin (EPM), Walter Navarro.
It may be recalled that last week the FTA between the two countries was approved at first reading by the House of Commons of Canada, with 183 votes in favor and 78 against. At this time the agreement must go to second reading. Among the votes are that of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Leader of Liberalism, Michael Ignatieff. Silver referred, also, to the trade agreement is crucial for both countries from the realm of bilateral trade and reciprocal investment protection. For its part, the opposition spokesman of the Canadian Parliament, Scott Brison, said he supports Colombia and expressed interest in ratifying the trade agreement. The leader said that the FTA (Tratado de Libre Comercio) is favorable for both countries. Similarly, the Conservative Ed Holder defended the deal and stressed that the agreement must be ratified promptly, to promote greater economic development in both nations.



*http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/andean-andin/can-colombia-colombie.aspx
*http://businesscol.com/noticias
*http://www.topnews.in/canada-colombia-put-ink-free-trade-accord-291899