European External Action Service : Federica Mogherini eyes a breakthrough in Colombia

Colombian peace process

High Representative Federica Mogherini on Tuesday reiterated her confidence in the Havana peace process negotiations and called for a focus on implementation. She emphasised that the EU will be with Colombia all the way, via the EU Trust Fund.

Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the High Representative underlined the EU's active commitment to the peace process. Eamon Gilmore, the High Representative's Special Envoy, is fulfilling an important role, with the support of President Santos.

Mogherini prioritized the landmark agreement on victims made public last December, the 'first time a peace agreement gives such a central role to victims.' She also noted the protection of human rights as a crucial aim of the peace process.

She underlined the fact that the Havana negotiations are not yet over and that important issues still need to be addressed, such as the means for a definitive ceasefire. However, she emphasised that she was 'confident that the negotiation can be concluded rapidly, in line with the commitments taken by President Santos.'

Mogherini noted that implementation of a peace agreement is often the most challenging part. The EU will keep encouraging deep change, along lines agreed in Havana, in order to bring sustainable peace to Colombia. The EU will be with Colombia all the way, via its EU Trust Fund, pooling contributions from the EU budget and from willing Member States. The EU is 'not offering good intentions, but concrete means to support peace'.

Mogherini ended by calling for the support of the European Parliament:

'These are momentous days for Latin America. Days of change, days of new challenges and, potentially, days of reconciliation. Such change needs to be driven, encouraged, accompanied. And when the opportunity for positive change arises, our European Union has an interest to support such change. In these historic times, we cannot afford to miss opportunities for peace, even when they look far away from us. I am sure we can count upon your support.'