Andean countries prepare for virtual Presidential Summit

Freddy Ehlers, Secretary General of the CAN, stated that the purpose of the summit is to move ahead with a broad-based reform of the Andean Community involving adjustments in four major areas.

Bogotá, Feb 14 (SP*). The Andean Community countries are seeking to hold a virtual Presidential Summit in which to undertake a major reform of the regional group, Freddy Ehlers, CAN Secretary General, reported at the conclusion of a meeting with the President of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe Vélez.

“President Uribe has decided to propose to his colleagues that they embark upon the reform of the Andean Community immediately --a reform that will result in a commitment to four major agreements-- and March has been set as the date for an Andean Presidential Summit.  We are going to try to make this the world’s first virtual presidential summit,” Ehlers added.    

He explained that the proposed reform will take place in four main areas:  social, environmental, trade deepening and food security, as requested expressly by President Uribe.

Ehlers noted that it is up to Colombia, as occupant of the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Andean Community, to call preparatory meetings in the four areas, which will be held over the rest of February and the first days of March.