Sumario: December 2, 2004: Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, on the 'Situation in Colombia', at the Plenary Session of the European Parliament (Brussels)
DE
Ms./Mr. Chairperson,
Honourable Members,
Let me assert first of all, that Columbia is important to us. The EU has a range of interests in Columbia, from trade and investment to the problems of drug production and the drugs trade, criminal networks, terrorism, migration and the regional dimension to conflict in Columbia. But ranked above all are the values that we share with out Columbian friends, like respect for human rights, the constitutionality of the state, the reduction of poverty, and lasting economic and social
development.
So I thank you for the opportunity to explain how I perceive the situation in Colombia and what is our policy with respect to this country. I will touch upon the strategic objective of our action, its fundamental principles, and eventually the instruments we use to achieve them.
We are very disturbed by the ongoing serious human rights abuses and the continuing security situation of many Columbians which demand our full solidarity with the Columbian people.
Therefore our strategic objective is to achieve a lasting peace.
The search for a negotiated solution is the cornerstone of our strategy vis-à-vis Colombia. There will be no purely military solution to this conflict. As a consequence it is important to try to find the means of advancing towards a peaceful settlement with all illegal armed groups who are willing to work towards a peaceful solution. In this endeavour, the Commission highly values the good offices of the United Nations Secretary-General with the Colombian illegal armed groups. The current
commitment of the Organisation of the American states (OAS) via its "Mission of Support for the Peace Process in Colombia" (MAPP/OEA), just as the Mexican Government's mediation between the Colombian Government and the Ejercito de Liberación Nacional (ELN) are also very positive contributions.
All the illegal armed groups must cease hostilities and the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages and detained persons would demonstrate the intention of these groups to start on the way to peace. As soon as a strategy exists to deal with armed groups, we in the EU must also consider how we can support the results of this peace process through financial means.
We are also convinced that the vibrant Colombian civil society also has an important role to play in this search for peace, through a constant dialogue with the Colombian Government and the international Community.
More immediately, our objective is to deliver on the commitments entered into by both the international Community and by the Colombian Government at the July 2003 London conference. The international community needs to deliver on its pledges, notably as regards financial assistance. The Colombian government equally needs to deliver on its pledges. In particular, we regard the human rights recommendations of the High Commissioner of the United Nations for Human rights as essential benchmarks.
The meeting convened by the Colombian government on 3-4 February next year will be an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the solidarity of the international community with the Colombian people and also to review the implementations of the commitments made in London last year.
Our strategy towards Colombia is based on three fundamental principles:
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