Colombia

Colombia is an important European Union (EU) partner in Latin America, not least due to the role it plays within the Andean Community, with which the EU is seeking closer ties. Political Dialogue is based on the Rome Declaration [19 KB] signed in 1996. This political dialogue will be strengthened and institutionalized through the Political and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the Andean Community. Dialogue also takes place within the framework of the institutional relations between the EU and the Rio Group. Bilaterally, the EU has long been committed to supporting peace and reconciliation in Colombia, as well as its combat against drugs.

EU policy on Colombia is laid down in a series of Council Conclusions,the latest of which date from November 2007 . It is implemented through high-level political and sectoral dialogue at regional or bilateral level. Trade and investment ties are another important vector of the relationship.  For many of its exports, Colombia already benefits of the system of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP+). These preferences will be made permanent and mutual market access opened further by the Multi-Party Trade Agreement for which the EU has concluded negotiations in early 2010.

To complement the trade deal, the European Commission and Colombia in late November 2009 signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism at senior officials level.

Relations are underpinned by EU economic and development cooperation, whose priorities are laid down in the Country Strategy Paper [919 KB] . Priority sectors are (1) peace, stability and alternative development, (2) justice and human rights, and (3) trade and competitiveness. The mid-term review [319 KB] (and summary [38 KB] ) of the CSP has been adopted.