Colombia–New Zealand relations

Colombia–New Zealand relations refers to the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Colombia and New Zealand. Both nations are members of the United Nations.

Colombia–New Zealand relations

Colombia
New Zealand

History

On 1 May 1978 Colombia and New Zealand established diplomatic relations.[1] Since the initiation of diplomatic relations, relations between both nations took place in mostly multinational organizations such as at the United Nations. In May 2013, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key paid an official visit to Colombia, becoming the first New Zealand head-of-government to do so. During his visit with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Prime Minister Key pledged that New Zealand would invest $3.4 million USD over four years to develop agriculture in Colombia. There would also be annual "consultations" between officials of both countries.[2]

In 2016, Colombia signed a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). New Zealand has contributed $1 million USD to humanitarian de-mining efforts in Colombia and is working with the HALO Trust to use technology developed in New Zealand to remove and dispose of mines safely.[3]

Since 2012, New Zealand has been an active observer of the Pacific Alliance which includes Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru. New Zealand launched negotiations towards a high-quality and comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with the Pacific Alliance in June 2017. Once negotiations are concluded and the FTA is in force, New Zealand will become an Associated State of the Pacific Alliance. In 2017 a bilateral Air Services Agreement was signed between both nations.[4] In February 2018, New Zealand opened its first resident embassy in Bogotá.[4]

High-level visits

High-level visits from Colombia to New Zealand

  • Foreign Vice Minister Patti Londoño (2013)

High-level visits from New Zealand to Colombia

Trade

In 2017, trade between Colombia and New Zealand totaled $45 million USD.[4] Colombia's main exports to New Zealand include: coffee, tea, mate and spices. New Zealand's main exports to Colombia include: confectionary and technical instruments.[4] Over the years, New Zealand companies have been targeting Colombian opportunities in agribusiness, food processing, retail (food and beverage, fuel), construction, aviation, and health.

Resident diplomatic missions

References
  1. Diplomatic relations between Colombia and New Zealand (in Spanish)
  2. Key makes headway in Colombia
  3. Nueva Zelanda abre embajada en Colombia y promete aumentar relaciones comerciales (in Spanish)
  4. New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade: Colombia
  5. Consulate-General of Colombia in Auckland
  6. Embassy of New Zealand in Bogotá
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.