During the debate on Tuesday 16 January on the implementation of the peace agreement in Columbia, the representatives from the European Parliament’s political groups all highlighted the importance the European Union placed in supporting the practical implementation of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the former guerrilla fighters of the FARC, on the ground. The latter has become a political party and will be standing in the general elections in Columbia next March.
The S&D, GUE/NGL and Greens/EFA regretted the fact that the European Parliament had been unable to reaffirm support for the peace agreement, despite the fact that this agreement has had to face many different challenges, such as the persisting insecurity in the areas abandoned by the FARC and the end of the ceasefire between the ELN guerrilla movement and Colombian government (see EUROPE 11938), in addition to the sluggish pace of agrarian reform in the division of land and reducing the land given over to coca leaf production.
Ramón Jáuregui Atondo (S&D, Spain) asked, “Why have the EPP and ALDE groups not wanted a resolution? This would have been important for the EU being able to continue being a protagonist on this issue”. Ernest Urtasun (Greens/EFA, Spain), exclaimed, “Adopting a Parliamentary resolution this week would have been the best time to tackle any persisting doubts”. He also pointed out that, “The other groups are more concerned about who is going to win the elections" in Columbia. Speaking on behalf of the GUE/NGL, Tania González Peñas (GUE/NGL, Spain) also shared this point of view.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Christos Stylianides, criticises the recent attacks by the ELN and said that he wanted to look at the situation as a whole and pointed out the fact that, “Even though the number of deaths is too high, it is the lowest for 15 years”. He highlighted EU support for the peace process by way of a specific trust fund of which more than 65% of the €95 billion envelope has already been earmarked for projects, such as reintegrating former FARC fighters into Colombian society and providing access to the population most affected by violence to basic services.
Luis de Grandes Pascual (EPP, Spain) considered that donations from the trust fund are very likely to be increased. Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE, Spain) said that they needed to do more to identify those guilty of murdering human rights activists. Marie-Christine Arnautu (ENF, France) called for EU military aid to be provided to tackle drugs traffickers. She also called for an end to free trade between the EU and Columbia, which she believed was restricting the redistribution of wealth in the country. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)