Bilateral relations
Bilateral relations between Colombia and El Salvador are marked by mutual and permanent co-operation at the highest level. Issues being worked on jointly include trade, security, culture, technical and scientific co-operation, and more.
In the last 4 years, Colombia has consolidated its position as one of the most important investors in El Salvador, through direct holdings, purchase and franchises. The sectors in which Colombia has made the largest investments there includes banking, textiles, and had home construction, airlines, plastics and hotels.
Mechanism for relations
- Mecanismo de Consulta y Coordinación Bilateral: This was reactivated through the Additional Protocol to the Exchange of Notes constituting an agreement with the establishment of the Permanent Binational Commission between the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the Government of the Republic of El Salvador, signed on 10 August 2005 by the Foreign Ministers of both countries.
- Mixed Technical, Scientific, Educational, Cultural and Sporting Co-operation Commission. The IX meeting of the Mixed Commission was held on 16 May 2014. The meeting defined the co-operation programme for 2014-2016, which is formed by six projects in the sectors of culture, sports, education, promotion and social promotion and protection, productive development, technical formation for work, environment and sustainable development
- The Colombia-El Salvador Mixed Drugs Commission. The Commission was created in an a Co-operation Agreement in the fight against the World Drugs Problem and related crimes, signed in Salvador on 14 August 2007.
Issues on the bilateral agenda
There has been an active relationship with El Salvador in trade matters, with the signature of the FTA-Northern Triangle, allowing trade and investment to become more dynamic, following the commitment to make progressive advances towards the free circulation of goods services, capital and persons.
Colombia co-operates with El Salvador in the field of security through the Comprehensive Security Co-operation Strategy and the Triangular Co-operation Strategy with United States, engaging in activities of training, exchange of good practices and development projects in the area of judicial policing.
In migration matters, on 22 February 2012, the decision of the president of El Salvador Mauricio fullness, the Visa requirement for Colombian citizens was effectively eliminated, in order to strengthen business relations. The decision adopted by the Salvadoran President has become a an important step forward in the consolidation of relations between the two countries.
Recent visits and meetings
- 7 August 2014. The vice president of El Salvador, Oscar Ortiz, attended the inaugural of President Juan Manuel Santos.
- 10-11 July 2014. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Angela Holguin, was decorated by Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez in San Salvador with the Order of José Matias Delgado, Silver Grand Cross.
- 18 March 2014. In a ceremonial act held in the Nariño Palace, President Juan Manuel Santos, accompanied by Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin, received the letters of credence of the new Ambassador of El Salvador in Colombia, Marcos Gregorio Sanchez-Trejo.
- 27 September 2013. During the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Foreign Ministers of Colombia, Maria Angela Holguin and El Salvador, Alfredo Miranda-Flamenco, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the prevention and investigation of the crime of trafficking in persons and that the assistance and protection for the victims of that crime.
- 27 January 2013. Meeting of Foreign Ministers during the CELAC Summit.
