Brussels, 24 April 2023
As part of the EU’s priority to strengthen relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, and ahead of the EU-CELAC Summit to be held in Brussels in July this year, High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell will be in Colombia from 25-30 April.
On 25 April, HR/VP Borrell will represent the EU in the International Conference on Venezuela in Bogota (broadcast on EbS) at +/- 16:00 CEST [TBC]. The EU is a major partner of Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the region as well as a supporter of political dialogue efforts to address the Venezuela crisis. The HR/VP will also meet with the Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia.
On 26 April, HR/VP Borrell will meet with Gustavo Petro, President of the Republic of Colombia, and hold a joint press conference (broadcast on EbS – timing to be announced). The EU has been a strong partner of the peace process in Colombia and fully supports initiatives at bringing about a lasting peace in the country.
During his visit, he will hold several bilateral meetings, such as with Vice-President of Colombia, Francia Marquez; Álvaro Leyva, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Danilo Rueda, High Commissioner for Peace; Alfonso Prada, Minister of the Interior; Iván Velasquez, Minister for National Defence; Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment; and Juan Manuel Santos, former President of the Republic of Colombia.
The HR/VP will also meet with representatives from Colombian civil society and with government and international community, including an EU-funded project to reintegrate former child combatants and a migrant attention centre for Venezuelan population in Bogota. He will also hold a meeting with the Episcopal Conference of Colombia.
HR/VP Borrell will also visit the El Testigo cultural exhibition, where he will meet with human rights defenders and representatives of the victims of the armed conflict.
On 28 April, HR/VP Borrell will travel to Cartagena where he will open the dialogue América Latina, el Caribe y Europa: Recalibrar nuestra asociación estratégica, organised by the EEAS and the EU-LAC Foundation, and deliver a keynote speech on EU-LAC relations at +/- 23:30 CEST (broadcast on EbS). The HR/VP will lead this conference, that will take place on 29-30 April.
Source – EEAS