Columbia and Canada

POLITICAL
- Canada and Colombia have had unbroken bilateral relations since 1953
- Canadian involvement has intensified in recent years through high-level visits,
o An evolving development assistance program
o A growing source-country refugee program
o Security sector cooperation
o Cooperation in the area of landmines
o Connectivity initiatives
o Healthy trade relationship.
- Since 1999, there have been unprecedented levels of senior-level contact between Canada and Colombia
- Former President Pastrana made the first-ever state visit to Canada by a Colombian president in May 1999, and attended the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City in April 2001.
- The January 2000 visit by former Minister Lloyd Axworthy to Colombia was the first by a Canadian foreign affairs minister in 18 years. Since 2000, there have also been visits by International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and former Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) Da...