The Diplomat in Spain

Photo: Pool Moncloa / J.M. Cuadrado 

The Diplomat. 07/07/2018

Colombia’s President Elect, Iván Duque, yesterday exposed to the Spanish authorities the projects that he intends to develop in his country when he takes office on August 7. Duke was received by the King, in the Palacio de la Zarzuela and met, in Moncloa, with the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez.

The new head of the Colombian State has wanted to include Spain as the second destination of an international tour to make himself known, after having passed through the United States, thus emphasizing his desire that the two countries continue to be his main allies at all levels, in America and in Europe.

After his meeting with Sanchez, Duque posted on his Twitter account a message that qualifies the meeting as «very productive» and adds: «We talk about the brotherhood of our nations and the strengthening of our political and commercial ties.» Spain is one of the main investors in Colombia and one of the countries where more Colombians reside, who contribute a high amount of remittances.

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The president-elect was received by Don Felipe and met with Sánchez

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Duque took advantage of his stay in Spain to participate in a forum on Technological Innovation and Circular Economy, attended by economic, political and social leaders of the world, including former US President Barack Obama. With him Duque met, who also had the opportunity to exchange views with Pablo Casado, candidate to preside over the PP. Married said after his meeting that he hopes to be able to go as president of the PP at the inauguration of Duke.

In his speech at the forum, Colombia’s president-elect proposed linking growth to what he called the «orange economy,» related to culture, intellectual property and technology, and the «green economy,» based on respect for environment and a rational use of consumption and energy.