Thank you.
I'll be splitting my time with Mr. Cannis.
Bienvenidos. We're delighted that both the ambassador and the senator are here.
Obviously, when pursuing these free trade agreements, human rights are always of concern to us, as are labour issues. In this particular agreement, maybe the ambassador or senator would also be aware of the fact that our agreements go beyond what is already happening with Colombia's negotiations with the European Union. In fact, both the agreements Colombia has done, with EFTA and also with the European Union, do not deal with issues of labour agreements and human rights to the extent we are doing here. I think we've done a much more comprehensive agreement than the one that is in place with the European Union.
I've gone to Colombia many times, and I have noticed a difference over the years. NGOs that were here not too long ago--Caritas, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International--raised concerns about human rights. There are those who are totally opposed to free trade, no matter what the issues and putting human rights aside. There are those in every country who are legitimately opposed to the issue of free trade, notwithstanding how they feel about human rights.
I think the reality is that over many years there has been a substantial improvement in the country on the issue of human rights. In fact, Colombia was almost a failed state a few years ago. It was unable to control its borders and provide services. Today, the stabilization of Colombia has made a huge difference in the lives of the people in Colombia, to the extent that President Uribe has an 80% approval rate. He didn't get that by doing nothing. He has done that by stabilizing the country. People now are very much onside with his efforts.
You cannot deny the fact that he is extremely popular. I know, Senator, that you're from the opposition, but he must have done something to make himself so popular in Colombia that he has managed to get himself an 80% approval rating. Maybe the senator can comment on that.