First Joint Committee meeting under EFTA-Colombia Free Trade Agreement

Published 13-11-2014
Delegations from the EFTA States and Colombia convened on 7 November 2014 in Bogotá for their first Joint Committee meeting under the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two sides.

The previous day, in preparation for the Joint Committee, experts on customs and origin matters and trade in goods had reviewed the implementation of the FTA in a dedicated Subcommittee meeting.

The EFTA-Colombia FTA entered into force between July 2011 and September 2014 for the five Contracting Parties. It has broad coverage, notably including trade in goods and services, protection of intellectual property rights, investment and government procurement.

The Joint Committee welcomed the smooth and effective implementation of the FTA, and adopted its rules of procedure and a decision establishing the rules of procedure for arbitration. Furthermore, delegations discussed the possibility of amending the FTA in certain areas, notably to include provisions on trade and sustainable development.

The EFTA team was headed by Ambassador Didier Chambovey from Switzerland, while Mr Luis Felipe Quintero, Director in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, led the Colombian delegation.

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