Colombia President Santos flies home after attending Apec

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and President Aquino. INQUIRER PHOTO

Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos has left the country after attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Santos arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 at 9 a.m. Thursday.

He was sent off by Philippine government officials, including Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. chair Stella Marquez Araneta. She is a Colombian beauty queen who settled in the Philippines after marrying Filipino businessman Jorge Araneta.

Before entering his plane, Santos waved to the press.

Santos was invited by President Benigno Aquino III to attend the Apec summit as an observer.

READ: Colombia, Apec nonmember, talks peace process with Aquino  /Aquino, Colombian president exchange notes on fight vs drugs, insurgency, poverty

In an earlier press conference, Santos said that being invited as an observer is a good sign that Colombia will be invited to the Apec.

Colombia is not a member of Apec but has since applied for membership.

“To be a member of Apec for Colombia is a very important step forward,” Santos said.

“That’s why this invitation [to be] the only country to come as an observer, not as a full member, is a very good sign” for Colombia, he added.

The Apec is not accepting any new member since it imposed a 10-year moratorium on membership in 1997. The moratorium was extended in 2007. TVJ

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