High Representative and Vice-President of the European Union Josep Borrell’s visit to Colombia concludes

HR/VP Josep Borrell was in Colombia from 25-30 April, where he represented the EU at the International Conference on Venezuela, held bilateral talks with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro and other high-ranking Colombian politicians, convened the dialogue América Latina, el Caribe y Europa: Recalibrar nuestra asociación estratégica, and met with representatives from civil society, victims of the armed conflict and Venezuelan migrants.

At the International Conference on Venezuela on 25 April, HR/VP Borrell commended the initiative organised by President Gustavo Petro, underlining the importance of involving regional and international stakeholders while searching for a Venezuelan-led solution. The HR/VP stressed the EU’s commitment to Venezuela’s democratic transition, highlighted the electoral observation mission sent by the Union to observe the 2021 elections, and stressed the importance of unblocking the negotiations in México.

High Representative Borrell held bilateral talks with several international political representatives in the margins of the conference, namely Jon Finer, Deputy National Security Advisor of the United States, and Celso Amorim, Chief Advisor of the Presidency of Brazil. The HR/VP also met with Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

As part of the HR/VP’s bilateral visit, he held a substantial meeting with President Gustavo Petro. They discussed the bilateral relationship, the internal situation in Colombia, in particular in relation to the peace process, and Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine and the importance of finding a just peace that would ensure Ukraine’s survival and territorial integrity. They also discussed the need to make the upcoming EU – CELAC Summit in July in Brussels a productive meeting that would open the door for a building a common future for our two continents.

Colombia has suffered under an armed conflict for 59 years now. The HRVP had the opportunity to hold in-depth talks on the peace process, starting with Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, as well as with Danilo Rueda, the High Commissioner for Peace. He also met with political representatives of the indigenous communities, the victims of the armed conflict and with the Archbishop of Bogotá, Luis José Rueda, as well as other distinguished members of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia.

The EU announces new cooperation projects with Colombia

HR/VP Borrell had the opportunity to commend Colombia on the significant improvements in security made since the implementation of the peace agreement of 2016 and reconfirm that the EU will continue its long-standing commitment to stand by the country on the road towards a comprehensive and lasting peace. He stated that the EU stands ready to accompany the negotiations between the government and the EMC [Estado Mayor Central]. EU Special Envoy for the peace process in Colombia, Eamon Gilmore will travel to Colombia in May for the first round of talks. The EU is also engaged through its Member States Germany, Spain and Sweden, who accompany the peace dialogues with the ELN [Ejército de Liberación Nacional].

HR/VP Borrell visited the “El Testigo” exhibition, which seeks to reprocess the past decades of armed conflict in Colombia and met there with representatives from the civil society, human rights defenders and victims of the armed conflict. He also visited the EU-funded centre Benposta, where children who have been recruited by armed groups, or are at risk find a safe haven and receive education.

The High Representative had the opportunity to visit the Centro Integral de Atención al Migrante (CIAMI Scalabrini) in the Santa Fe area, where he met with migrants and civil society representatives, overseeing an EU funded project. The High Representative stressed the efforts made by the Colombian government to support Venezuelan refugees in the wake of the crisis in the country. The HR/VP announced €10 million in additional funds for civil society organizations dedicated to this cause.

During his visit to the Escuela Taller de Bogotá, the HR/VP highlighted the importance of Colombia as an important bilateral, regional, and multilateral partner, sharing values with the EU, such as democracy, fight against climate change and social justice. He announced €10 million in support for deforestation reduction efforts, as well as €2 million for the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, and €3.8 million for victims of the armed conflict and gender-based violence.

The EU will invest 50 billion pesos in the socioeconomic integration of migrants and host communities in Colombia.

The HR/VP met with Álvaro Leyva, Minister for Foreign Affairs, followed by a joint press conference. High Representative Borrell reaffirmed the need to conclude a new Association and Cooperation Agreement that would complement the standing Trade Agreement. The HR/VP mentioned the digital transition as an area of collaboration, highlighting the role that Global Gateway can have in promoting investment and cooperation. The High Representative also commended Colombia for clearly denouncing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and upholding the international order, territorial integrity, and the United Nations Charter. The next EU-CELAC summit was also discussed, as the HR/VP reaffirmed the close relationship between Europeans and Latin Americans. His statements and answers to the journalists’ questions during the press conference are available here.

The High Representative also held bilateral talks with Luis Fernando Velasco, Minister for the Interior, and Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia. He also met with Susana Muhamad, Minister for the Environment.

High Representative Borrell then travelled to Cartagena, where he convened the dialogue América Latina, el Caribe y Europa: Recalibrar nuestra asociación estratégica, organised by the EEAS and the EU-LAC Foundation. He inaugurated the three-day event together with Colombian Vice-President Francia Márquez and delivered a keynote speech on EU-LAC relations.

Source: European External Action Service