San Cristóbal, 29 July 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Carlos Faria, meets with the Designated Foreign Minister of Colombia, Álvaro Leyva Duran, on 29 July.
#EnTáchira | Canciller de Venezuela @Fariacrt se reúne este #28Jul en la fronteriza ciudad de San Cristóbal con su homólogo de Colombia @AlvaroLeyva, designado por el Presidente @petrogustavo, en función de restablecer las relaciones diplomáticas entre ambos países hermanos. pic.twitter.com/BZCdfrGNhn
— Cancillería Venezuela 🇻🇪 (@CancilleriaVE) July 28, 2022
This meeting was appointed by President-elect of Columbia, Gustavo Petro, to re-establish new bilateral relations. The Governor of Táchira state, Freddy Bernal, and The Deputy Foreign, Rander Peña, also participated.
The Deputy Representative of the Secretary General of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, Raul Rosende, also joined the meeting.
Agenda of the Meeting
They discussed consolidating the ties of friendship and cooperation by reviewing all issues of bilateral interests.
They also reaffirmed their willingness to make joint efforts to ensure security and peace on the border.
Carlos Faria shared the news on his official Twitter account:
3/3 Manifestamos la necesidad de establecer una agenda de trabajo para revisar temas de interés binacional y garantizar la paz en nuestras fronteras. Además, coincidimos en que el diálogo es el camino correcto para el entendimiento mutuo. pic.twitter.com/qSqTYiNfnr
— Carlos Faria (@Fariacrt) July 28, 2022
He said, “We express the need to establish a work agenda to review issues of bilateral interest and peace on our borders. Furthermore, we agree that dialogue is the right path to mutual understanding.”
Meanwhile, the Governor of Táchira, Freddy Bernal, said: “For me, it is an honor to welcome Foreign Ministers Carlos Faria and Álvaro Leyva. This is the first step on a long road of reunion, friendship, and prosperity for both peoples”.
“I do not doubt that the bonds of familiarity between Colombia and Venezuela will grow stronger due to this meeting,” he stressed.
Moreover, Álvaro Leyva expressed his pleasure and gratitude for the warm welcome of the Venezuelan people and authorities.
They also highlighted supporting dialogue to construct peace, respect, and mutual understanding.
Furthermore, they announced in a joint declaration that as of 7 August. After that, ambassadors will be appointed, and consulates will reopen.
Both Foreign Ministers expressed their gratitude for the presence of Raul Rosende at the first and historic meeting.
In addition, the border closed between the two countries in 2019. After winning the election, Petro announced that he had spoken with President Maduro about restoring relations with Venezuela.
