(WASHINGTON) – {U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) today urged support for an extension of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), but said its passage is no substitute for enactment of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

 In Tuesday, the House of Representatives is expected to vote to extend the ATPA through the end of 2008. The ATPA permits greater access to U.S. markets for select goods from countries in the Andean region, including Colombia and Peru. Congress has already approved a permanent free trade pact with Peru, but has yet to schedule a similar vote on the trade agreement with Colombia.

 "Extending the existing Andean Trade Preference Act is a necessary measure, but one that goes only half-way. It cannot substitute for passage of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which is of central importance in defending critical U.S. strategic interests in the region,” said Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

 “Those opposed to the Colombia FTA do not understand that the existing trade preferences give Colombian businesses easy access to U.S. markets but do nothing about giving U.S. businesses greater access to Colombia’s markets. Only the Free Trade Agreement can do that,” Ros-Lehtinen added.

 “Since its passage in 1992, the Andean Trade Preference Act has provided sustainable alternatives to drug-crop production and has helped to consolidate democracy in the region,” she said.}

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