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Colombia: speech by High Representative Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the EP Plenary

European External Action Service (EEAS)

10.09.2025
Strasbourg, France
EEAS Press Team

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Opening remarks

Dear President,

Dear Honourable Members of the European Parliament,

Since I addressed you in June with on this topic, we learnt with great sadness of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay's murder. And we have witnessed new deadly attacks against the civilian population and the security forces of Colombia. I will meet with Colombia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Yolanda Villavicencio in two weeks' time. and I will convey our condemnation of these despicable actions.

I want to also reiterate our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and their loved ones. And I want to pay special tribute to the 13 police officers killed on the 21st of August, in the line of duty. Those responsible must be swiftly brought to justice, and I welcome the commitment of the Colombian government in this regard.

The European Union will keep doing what it can to support the brave men and women of the Colombian security forces, including: by providing training; facilitating the sharing of best practices; and promoting police and judicial cooperation in the pursuit of criminals and terrorists.

Colombia's active participation in EU-funded programs and its close cooperation with agencies like Europol and the European Drugs Agency is of enormous value. This is not only important for the security of Colombians but also for Europe. Likewise, the joint work we conduct in law enforcement, maritime safety and criminal justice, to name just a few areas, contributes to our joint security. We will continue to work together to combat organised crime and drug trafficking that brings corruption to our institutions and violence to our streets.

The European Union is committed to supporting the Colombian government in the pursuit of peace. Peace will always be the best guarantee for long-term security for all Colombian citizens.

Current challenges should not obscure the historic progress achieved since the demobilisation of the FARC. The European Union will continue to support Colombia in the implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement; the provision of transitional justice; and in all efforts to negotiate peace and bring socio-economic development to its territories and communities.

The success of the Colombian peace process remains a key priority for the European Union.

Finally, as Colombia prepares to hold general elections in 2026, it is especially important to guarantee a safe and conducive political environment, free from threats and interference. We call upon all political actors, candidates and media to do their part, including in rejecting political polarisation and hate speech, and uniting in defence of Colombia's democratic institutions. As always, the European Union stands ready to do what it can to support these efforts, including by deploying an Electoral Observation Mission upon invitation by the relevant authorities.

Honourable Members,

The pursuit of peace, the fight against organised crime and the protection of democracy in Colombia are strands that pull Colombia in the same, positive direction. And as Colombia enters a delicate pre-electoral period and faces important security challenges, I reiterate the European Union's continued commitment to do its part in the pursuit of our shared objectives.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-276546

Closing remarks

Thank you, Honourable Members, for this debate.

Once again, I also want to thank you for your continued attention to the situation in Colombia.

I think we are all sharing the same views, so that is very clear.

As Colombians confront difficult security challenges and enter a delicate electoral period, the people should know that they can count on the European Union as a reliable and strong and credible partner.

We have a busy agenda with Colombia in the coming months. We will have the CELAC-EU Summit in November; we will negotiate a new bilateral Partnership and Cooperation Agreement; we will hold ministerial-level dialogues on human rights and the fight against illicit drugs.

Every one of these contact points is an opportunity to reflect the priorities and sensitivities that emerge from today's important debate.

The European Union will continue to convey our concern for the escalating violence in the country, reaffirm our support to Colombia in the fight against crime and the pursuit of peace, and explore ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation for the benefit of our citizens as well as their citizens on the other side of the Atlantic.

Thank you again for this very good debate.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-276548