<!--/* //NOSONAR */--><!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<!--/* //NOSONAR */--><html  lang="en-US">
<head id="Head"><meta id="MetaDescription" name="DESCRIPTION" /><meta id="MetaKeywords" name="KEYWORDS" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1" /><title>
	U.S., Colombian Army Bilateral Staff Talks essential to interoperability, stability in Western Hemisphere
</title><link id="css3605" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/module.css" /><link id="css4619" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/desktopmodules/ArticleCS/styles/DOD2/style.css" /></head>
<body>
    <main>
    <div>
    <div class="aprint news">
    <div class="header">
        <img height="100" class="print-logo" alt="Site Logo" src="/Portals/7/Images/SOUTHCOM_logo_thumb.jpg?ver=SIvIeRRofyrg5ZHPpvvh6Q%3d%3d" />

        <h1 class="title">U.S., Colombian Army Bilateral Staff Talks essential to interoperability, stability in Western Hemisphere</h1>
    </div>
    
<div id="adetail-slick-gallery" class="gallery">
    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2020/Sep/21/2002503574/1920/1080/0/201002-F-PO640-0005.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="Maj. Gen. Daniel Walrath, U.S. Army South commanding general, provides closing remark to Gen. Eduardo E. Zapateiro, Colombian National Army commanding general, during the conclusion of the 11th U.S. – Colombia Bilateral Army Staff Talks, which was held virtually from Sept. 14-18. The staff talks seeks to promote bilateral efforts in order to develop professional partnerships and increase interaction between partner nation armies over a five-year plan."
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">ARSOUTH TALKS</div>
            <div class="image-caption">Maj. Gen. Daniel Walrath, U.S. Army South commanding general, provides closing remark to Gen. Eduardo E. Zapateiro, Colombian National Army commanding general, during the conclusion of the 11th U.S. – Colombia Bilateral Army Staff Talks, which was held virtually from Sept. 14-18. The staff talks seeks to promote bilateral efforts in order to develop professional partnerships and increase interaction between partner nation armies over a five-year plan.</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
</div>
<div class="slide-info"></div>





    <div><b>By Donald Sparks</b> <span class="date">/ Published Sept. 22, 2020</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text">JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, </span>
    <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Nine months ago Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath, U.S. Army South commanding general, was in Colombia standing shoulder-to-shoulder next to Gen. Eduardo E. Zapateiro, Colombian National Army commanding general, at the conclusion of a foreign airborne jump wing exchange between paratroopers of both nations.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">On Sept. 18, the two generals were only able to greet each other virtually at the conclusion of the 11th U.S. – Colombia Bilateral Army Staff Talks. The goal during the staff talks was to develop a bilateral engagement plan with the Colombian Army, which continues to strengthen their relationship with the U.S. Army.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Despite the event being held virtually, Walrath expressed it was a success for both armies.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">“It has been a historic event despite the difficulty of having to plan in a virtual setting due to COVID, but I’m still extremely pleased with the results obtained and being able to map out a five-year plan for our army-to-army partnership,” Walrath said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Since 2009, the staff talks have been instrumental in enhancing the interoperability and cooperation between the two armies, which have contributed to increased stability in the region.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">“Thank you for the U.S. Army’s sincere friendship and dedication,” Zapateiro said praising the significance of the event. “I am sure that we will accomplish everything that we’ve shared through these bilateral talks.”</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Zapateiro highlighted the capabilities of the Colombian Army’s soldiers would be greatly enhanced as they would be able to conduct training, synergy and interoperability with their American counterparts, which will allow his army to better face transnational threats.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The week-long engagement enhanced U.S. Army staff elements to provide the Colombian Army with insights concerning specific U.S. Army programs, areas of mutual interest and areas of modernization or reform.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Walrath mentioned both armies made good progress towards interoperability to operate together against mutual threats.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">“I thank you (Gen. Zapateiro) and your staff for the hard work and making these results possible,” Walrath said. “Our armies have achieved many significant milestones in the past six months that were the result of previous staff talks. So I’m confident that the result of these staff talks will produce additional milestones and successful results in the future.”</span></span></p>
<br />
</div>

    </div>
    </main>
</body>
</html>