NATO and Colombia discuss future of cooperation

  • 19 Mar. 2014 -
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  • Last updated: 19 Mar. 2014 18:59

NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow welcomed Colombia’s interest in broadening consultations and cooperation with the Alliance in talks with Colombia’s Vice Minister of Defence, Jorge Enrique Bedoya, on Wednesday (19 March 2014).

The Vice Minister of Defence of Colombia, Jorge Enrique Bedoya and NATO Deputy Secretary General, Alexander Vershbow

During the meeting, the Deputy Secretary General reiterated NATO’s readiness to explore the potential for doing more together. Possible areas of future cooperation could include ammunition safety  and military training courses. Closer cooperation is a gradual process that will evolve over time, Ambassador Vershbow said.

Colombia already engages in several NATO programmes and activities. This includes the participation of Colombian experts in NATO’s Building Integrity initiative which promotes transparency in the defence sector. Colombia also participates in NATO codification activities which seek to set common logistics standards.

In June 2013, NATO and Colombia signed an Agreement on the Security of Information which sets the basis for NATO and Colombia to explore future cooperation and consultation in areas of common interest. The Agreement is a first step toward Colombia being considered as a NATO partner.  Colombia’s participation in additional NATO-run activities will continue to be decided by Allies on a case-by-case basis.