Brussels, 20/01/2016 (Agence Europe) - In a joint resolution adopted on Wednesday 20 January, the European Parliament said that it wanted the peace negotiations in Colombia to be concluded “as soon as possible” so that they could establish a definitive end to the conflict.
Once again, MEPs assert their willingness to provide any possible assistance required to support the application of the definitive peace agreement that is hoped for in March and called for peace to be accompanied, “by a determined effort to combat inequality and poverty”. They also called for the National Liberation Army (ELN), the second biggest rebel group after the FARC, to make a commitment as soon as possible to achieving peace in Colombia.
During the plenary debate the previous day, Ramón Jáuregui Atondo (S&D, Spain) welcomed the importance of the position taken by the Parliament in favour of the peace process because it is “unanimous” and the very first of its kind in external policy. Speaking on behalf of the EFDD group, Ignazio Corrao, did, nevertheless, asked where the money would be found to compensate the victims of the Colombian conflict. Javier Couso Permuy (GUE/NGL Spain) called for the dismantling of the paramilitary groups working for the multinationals in Colombia.
Federica Mogherini, the EU high representative for foreign affairs, stated that Colombia is“A place in the world where there is hope and change”. She said that they now had an opportunity for achieving a global peace agreement that could be signed by the end of March by the Colombian authorities and Marxist guerrillas of the FARC, which should not be missed. She pointed out that 220,000 people had died and 6 million had been forcibly displaced (see EUROPE 11396) in the conflict. She described the agreement reached in December between the different sides on the victims of the conflict as a “major” agreement and the first of its kind, which also gave them a central role to play.
Mogherini highlighted the fact that the EU Special Envoy, Eamon Gilmore, was in Bogotá. She provided assurances that the European Union would be there to support Colombians in the implementation of a possible peace agreement for which the putting into practice would “often be the most challenging part”. The Europeans are therefore helping to put in place a trust fund that would be ready when the hoped for peace is signed. This facility will also be supported from the EU budget and national contributions. Mogherini noted that several member states had already contributed to it. The EU will also contribute to the introduction of a ceasefire follow-up mechanism and weapons handover.
The High Representative highlighted the still very close links between the EU and Colombia, with the recent waiving of short stay visas for Colombians entering Europe (see EUROPE 11444) and Colombia's participation in the EUNAVFOR Atalanta naval operation off the Somali coast. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)