“Restoring rural areas that were affected by the prolonged armed conflict is at the heart of Colombia’s peace agreement, and an important priority for our development cooperation with the country. Together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, we will support Colombia’s efforts to build lasting peace by strengthening rural communities and agricultural productivity”. said Commissioner Neven Mimica commissioner for International Cooperation and Development.

Commissioner Mimica, reaffirms the EU’s strong and long-standing partnership with Colombia during an official visit to Colombiatomorrow, where he will meet with President Juan Manuel Santos. At the heart of this partnership stands the EU’s commitment to support the implementation of the Colombian peace agreement, with a particular emphasis on comprehensive rural reforms.

Commissioner Mimica, together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, will launch a joint initiative for Colombia. Through this initiative, the EU will support the Colombian government institutions that are involved in food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture by means of targeted policy assistance and capacity building. These actions will help to implement the comprehensive rural reform, which is one of the priorities of the Peace Agreement signed in November 2016. The initiative can be considered a significant step forward towards achieving sustainable development in the country, as it focuses in particular on improving the situation of the poor in rural areas, the capacity of the State in conflict–affected areas, and rural development. Commissioner Mimica will also participate in the fair AgroExpo in Bogota.