Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin said Friday that she expected the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could be ratified by the U.S. Congress this year.
"We hope the agreement to be approved this year. We can not keep begging any longer although we know its importance for the country, businessmen and employment," Holguin told Caracol Radio.
Holguin said if the U.S. Congress would not approve the FTA, Colombia would seek for cooperation with Asian countries and strengthen its relations with Canada, Switzerland and member states of the European Union.
In January, U.S. Senator John McCain said during his visit to Colombia that it would be a "slap" to the South American countries if the U.S. Congress did not ratify the FTA.
The FTA has been waiting for ratification by the U.S. legislation since it was signed in 2006. It is stuck by demands for stronger guarantees on human rights in Colombia.
Holguin also expected the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act to be extended by the United States.