Following the first round of the presidential elections in Colombia, and ahead of the official visit of the departing president Juan Manuel Santos to the European Parliament, the S&D Group underlines that the South American country is living a historic moment and it thanks president Santos for his efforts to bring about peace.

 

 

“On behalf of the S&D Group we warmly welcome president Santos in the European Parliament. We value his courageous and generous commitment to peace in Colombia, both in the agreements with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and in the dialogue with the National Liberation Army (ELN).

 

“The European Parliament expressed its majoritarian support to these processes, and we European Socialists and Democrats insist on the fact that this is the way to turn the page on political violence in Colombia. This is why, without interfering in the on-going electoral process, we hope that whoever wins the second round will keep the State commitment to the peace process.”

 

Last weekend, eight MEPs from several political groups travelled to Colombia in a mission of accompaniment of the electoral process during the first presidential round.

 

 

“We are witnessing historic elections. For the first time Colombians were able to vote without violence. This is the fruit of the Colombian people’s courage and also of the pact against violence reached by political parties.

 

“What we wish for Colombia, because of the friendship that unites us, is the consolidation of peace. FARC also took an important step by becoming a political party, and for the first time it took part in the process. It would be desirable that the ELN follows the same path.”