Columbia is aiming to strengthen trade and investment relations with Japan and improve its own industrial infrastructure to encourage investment, Columbian Foreign Minister Maria Mejia told Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi on Monday, ministry officials said.Obuchi welcomed Columbia's efforts to improve its infrastructure, according to the officials. However, Obuchi said the Columbian government needs to make efforts to improve security in Columbia to attract foreign investment, the officials said.Mejia said the government is currently making such efforts, the officials said. Meanwhile, Mejia told Obuchi that Columbia wants to step up talks with Japan concerning reform of the United Nations, the officials said.She said Columbia understands the importance of Japan obtaining a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, according to the officials. However, Mejia called for further discussions on matters such as achieving fair geographic representation and veto rights in an expanded council, they said.
