Colombia and Ecuador agree to fight environmental crimes together

The presidents of Ecuador and Colombia discussed joint cooperation and work on environment, security, trade and regional integration, among others, at the XI Binational Cabinet meeting in the Ecuadorian border city of Tulcan.

A total of “79 new commitments” were adopted for 2023 across seven thematic axes, according to the Ecuadorian foreign ministry although ministry sources told EFE that some points were still being fine-tuned by both delegations.

Guillermo Lasso said that the most important point on which he and Petro agreed was the risks faced by the two countries, the region and the world due to the negative impact of the climate crisis.

The Ecuadorian leader added that an agreement has been reached that a Binational Council against environmental crimes meet every six months.

Gustavo Petro said that both countries are seeking to boost trade flows and that this also involves efforts in infrastructures ,such as the expansion of the Pan-American Highway that connects Ecuador and Colombia to four lanes.

Petro added that having a quality Pan-American Highway to the south could provide opportunities for large volumes of trade from Colombia to reach the southern part of South America.

The Colombian president hoped that a regional connection through railway lines or by sea would be considered, in addition to reinforcing the idea of a Latin American energy union.