Brussels, 27/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - In the declaration that the Council Presidency presented, on behalf of the EU, at the meeting of the "Support Group for the Peace Process in Colombia", which was held in Bogota this week, the EU sets out those fields in which it would like to intervene (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.3). Last week, the European Commission proposed devoting 105 million euro to the peace process in Colombia for the 2000-2006 period and said that the first projects would be identified from 2001 (see EUROPE of 19 October, p.15). Ring-fencing precisely the limits of European action in the framework of the "negotiated" peace process and in coordination with international aid, the Presidency declaration sets out the EU's priorities in five fields of action:
1) Supporting the strengthening of the rule of law and democratic institutions being undertaken by the Colombian Government: the EU could envisage measures in the judicial sector, notably: the recruitment and training of judges, fighting corruption, the modernisation of the means of action and investigation of the police force. "Customs is also a priority sector for cooperation to pursue the fight against illicit trafficking while improving the flow of the movement of goods". The European Union, moreover, believes "that round table meetings with the parties to the conflict with which the Government has begun the process of negotiation or discussion would be useful. To show how the countries of the EU, in their diversity as in the common policies, tackle the problems which are being discussed in the context of the peace process".
2) Backing the defence of human rights and international humanitarian law: "The European Union intends to consider ways of participating in the financing of the United Nations Office and practical ways of assisting those who protect human rights, who are at this time under threat. In this spirit, it will continue to support the peace communities". It is also prepared to help the Government improve the capacity of local structures responsible for channelling external aid to welcome and assist the rural population displaced by the conflict.
3) Combating the causes of the endemic violence and support aid to the victims of the violence. Noting that "the use of drugs, and the violence that results from it are undermining Colombian society", the EU is prepared to "develop cooperation in order to analyse the demand for psychotropic drugs and to assist the Government in its search for the most suitable ways of reducing demand". Also noting that the "endemic violence" in the country is due to social inequalities, especially in the countryside, "the European Union is ready to lend its support to the Colombian Government for the modernisation of the land register which is needed to implement an ambitious agrarian policy", while stressing that "the implementation of certain infrastructure projects, which would improve the movement of people and goods, is particularly desirable". "Particular attention should be paid to those farmers who have maintained traditional crops, so that they have the means to resist the pressure and temptations to slip into crime (…) For those whose incomes come from illegal crops", it is important to offer them "other options which, while certainly leading to a drop in their income, would be offset by an improvement of their living conditions (collective health and educational facilities, communications infrastructure, etc.), while respecting local structures. In addition, "the EU could support programmes offering broader access to new information and communication".
4) Preserving Colombia's biodiversity and environment, which represents "10% of world biodiversity". Colombia's natural heritage is "threatened, notably, by deforestation and the use of chemicals" to eradicate the drug crops. The EU thus proposes to "pursue and increase its support for programmes which have already been implemented, particularly as regards the conservation of natural resources, reforestation, water treatment and the preservation of natural parks".
5) The enhancement of consultation and regional cooperation. The EU notes that "experience in other Andean countries in the reduction of illegal crops has shown clearly that tackling a problem in one country alone simply leads to it being displaced to a neighbouring country". Whence, it proposes sharing the European experience of integration and coordinating policies with Colombia and its neighbours. Vigorous action should be taken, for example, "against illegal traffic in chemical precursors and against money laundering", the European declaration concludes.