May 3, 2013 Germany ratifies FTA between Colombia, EU

[Bacchus4.0]

http://colombiareports.com/germany-ratifies-fta-between-colombia-eu/

Germany on Friday ratified the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Colombia and Peru, taking another step towards the transatlantic agreement’s implementation.

“We were optimistic about the vote today because Germany is a strategic partner for Colombia, and both countries will benefit from this free trade agreement (FTA),” said the Colombian Ambassador in Germany, Juan Mayr Maldonado, in a statement to EFE.

The upper house of German parliament approved the agreement shortly after it had been ratified by the lower house on March 23. Parliament voted in favor of the contract despite staunch opposition from the Social Democrats, the Green Party and the Left.

A group of 45 church, human rights and development organizations also asked the upper house not to ratify the agreement amid fears that it will have a negative impact on the environment and social and human rights in Colombia.

[Zorro]

1. And Correa seems intent on not having Ecuador's trade agreements with the US continued

They're up for negotiations this summer, and I think there's not much motivation for the US to renew them.

[Bacchus4.0]

2. Ecuador is the only remaining country in that Andean pact

Peru and Colombia are part of the subsequent FTA already. Bolivia was suspended a few years ago leaving only Ecuador as part of the old agreement. I am not sure exactly what Rafa's position is but yeah there isn't much motiviation for the US to renew with only Ecuador.