February 16, 2005
Reactivation of Venezuelan/Colombian projects

(El Nacional) - "Presidents of Venezuela and Colombia, Hugo Chávez and Alvaro Uribe, gave instructions for the immediate reactivation of joint projects between both countries, which were paralysed after the recent diplomatic impasse caused by the capture of FARC Rodrigo Granda.

A six-hour meeting at Miraflores Palace in Caracas was enough for both countries to turn the page on the bilateral impasse.

Both Presidents guaranteed the reactivation of all bilateral institutional mechanisms, and they also announced a future meeting in Bogotá, between Venezuelan and Colombian Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Alí Rodríguez and Carolina Barco.

They both talked about their countries' compromise to fight terrorism, but they were careful enough to say this fight must involve total respect for sovereignty.

President Chávez said 'Venezuela is a nation that fights against terrorism whatever it looks like and no matter what disguise it wears'. 'Our country is no sanctuary for guerrilla, terrorists or drug dealers', he said. 'My government ratifies its irrevocable decision to fight against terrorism of any kind, without distinctions', he insisted.

Uribe, on the other hand, said 'the first thing is to admit that Colombia's challenge against terrorism causes difficulties to our neighbours'.

'Respectful cooperation means that sovereignty is not affected and that it is respected', he said".