Bogota, 26/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Union reaffirmed its intention of backing the peace efforts engaged by President Pastrana in Colombia with a "substantial European programme", at the meeting of the "Support Group for the Peace Process in Colombia", that was held in Bogota this week. However, this programme, which the European Commission presented last week (see EUROPE of 19 October, p.15), will be implemented by the EU "according to its own procedures (…) taking account of the programmes undertaken by the remainder of the international community", the French Presidency stipulates in a declaration presented on behalf of the EU a the meeting in Bogota.
In this declaration, the EU also places emphasis on the need of a negotiated peace and participation of civil society: "the peace process is just that - a process, in other words a method which takes time and therefore needs patience and commitment from all parties to the conflict. As the European Union sees it, there is no alternative to the peace process. There is no military solution which could lead to a lasting peace. The European Union considers that peace can only come from a general agreement, and it intends to discuss the proposals it puts forward in consultations which are as wide-ranging as possible, including civil society"
Rejecting being part of the "Plan Colombia", negotiated by Colombia with the United States and of which the military aspects are disputed, the EU places emphasis on its assistance being allocated according to its own priorities. The Europeans also intend "to evaluate the situation regularly (every 6 months) to take the fullest account of needs expressed and progress made". "The EU will focus particularly on serving as a catalyst so that the UN and its specialised agencies, the international financial institutions (particularly the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the European Development Bank), but also the private sector, will support the financial efforts of the Colombian Government. The European Union intends to focus its action on the following: 1 --support for the rule of law; 2 - the defence of human rights and international humanitarian law; 3 - the fights against the causes of violence, and assistance for the victims of violence; 4 - the protection of biodiversity and the environment; 5 - the enhancement of consultation and regional cooperation. EUROPE will return to the contents tomorrow.