Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament have promoted a declaration, co-signed by the United Left (GUE) and the Greens, to support the Colombian peace process.
At the request of the S&D Group, the plenary today debated on Colombia. However, the EPP and ALDE did not allow for an official resolution to be adopted, and this is why the progressive groups in the Parliament adopted a joint declaration*.

S&D vice-president for foreign relations and human rights, Elena Valenciano MEP, said:

“At this moment the Colombian people deserve all the support of the EU to culminate a brave and generous process that must lead to a durable peace. After more than 50 years of violence, the fact that the FARC laid down their weapons and many former guerrilla fighters are reintegrating in society is already a remarkable success.

“It’s hard to understand how the EPP and ALDE, for electoral reasons, rejected a resolution to support the peace process in Colombia in line with the resolution adopted by unanimity in January 2016. We absolutely respect the democratic will of the Colombian people, but precisely because we feel close to them, we wish that the legislative and presidential elections to be held in 2018 will not endanger the peace process, but will take it to a good end.”

S&D MEP Ramón Jáuregui, who co-chairs the EU- Latin America Parliamentary Assembly, said:

“The EU has taken up the role to accompany and support this process, which must not be weakened now when so many important issues are still pending. Last December the EU approved a funding package of over 575 million euros compensation and reparation to victims of the conflict. The Colombian State must also mobilise investments for repairing and creating new infrastructures.

“The transitional justice and other important elements of the Peace Agreements are also pending, such as the reintegration of former fighters, the agricultural reform and the integral system of truth, justice, reparation and non-repetition, which is of the utmost importance for the victims. No matter the outcome in the Colombian elections, all these measures deserve to be taken forward, and the support of the EU.”

* Read the declaration here