The President of Guatemala, Álvaro Colom Caballeros, will make an official visit to the United States of America from the 16th to the 18th of February. He will hold a series of meetings with U.S. officials, Secretary of State of the United States, Hillary Clinton, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Ban Ki -moon, as well as the Secretaries General of the Organization of American States and the President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), among others.
President Colom, who will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Haroldo Rodas Melgar, will begin his agenda in Washington DC on February 16. He will meet with Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Jose Miguel Insulza and then participate as a guest of honor at a session of the Permanent Council of the Organization. During the meeting with the Secretary Insulza they will evaluate the role of the OAS to support democracy in the hemisphere and President Colom will use the occasion to express his appreciation for the timely support of OAS Permanent Council after the crisis in May 2009.
Later the President Colom will inaugurate the headquarters of the Consulate of Guatemala in Maryland, where he will have the opportunity to share with the Guatemalan community located there.
On 17 February President Colom will meet with the President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Luis Alberto Moreno, they will talk about the loan portfolio for Guatemala, among other financial topics.
In the afternoon the same day, the president will travel to New York where he will meet with the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Ban Ki -moon. President Colom will present his condolences concerning the Haiti's tragedy as a member of the family of the United Nations and reiterate his appreciation for the excellent job done by Edmond Mulet of Guatemala, who is temporarily in charge of the UN stabilization mission in Haiti.
At the meeting with the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Ban Ki -moon, the topic will include the work and progress of CICIG, the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala. President Colom will express his satisfaction regarding the functioning of the Commission and the performance of the Commissioner Carlos Castresana. It will also be an opportunity to discuss the work of the Commission, its current situation and prospects.
On Thursday 18 February, President of Guatemala will meet with the Secretary of State of the United States, Hillary Clinton, where they will address the issues of bilateral relations, including: the strengthening of security and justice in Guatemala, the Merida Initiative, and Guatemala's efforts in combating drug trafficking, comprehensive immigration reform, investment, trade and climate change, among others.
The official visit will end on Thursday 18, when President Colom and the Foreign Minister Rodas will return to Guatemala.
Source: Press Office of the President of Guatemala
Picture: Press Office of the President of Guatemala
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