Political relations between the European Union (EU) and Colombia are strong, stable and dynamic. Colombia is an important partner for the European Union, and a key partner in the region, bilaterally, regionally and multilaterally. We share the fundamental values of democracy, human rights, multilateralism and the rule of law, as well as political priorities, particularly in the mutual commitment to peace and environmental protection.

The relationship between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is more important than ever. Both regions share deep cultural, social, economic and political ties and values. These historic ties have allowed for a constant dialogue from the multilateral to the bilateral level, with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States - EU/CELAC, under the Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Andean Community and at the bilateral level European Union-Colombia.

The political dialogue between the European Union and Colombia is based on the 1996 Rome Declaration and the 2009 Memorandum of Understanding, in addition to the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the Andean Community. These political relations are complemented by recurrent bilateral dialogues on political and human rights relations.

Colombia's position as a country with extreme biodiversity and its environmental challenges give special relevance to issues related to green diplomacy. Recognizing the global impact of climate change and its importance for the future, the European Union seeks to incorporate these issues in all its actions, especially in Colombia.

The EU supports initiatives to mitigate, adapt and reduce vulnerability to climate change and funds projects that seek to build sustainable development models and promote peace-building initiatives. Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal, an ambitious package of measures ranging from a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The EU is actively working with Colombia to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement, promoting ambitious climate action in its cooperation.

Joint Declaration for a Dialogue on Environment, Climate Action and Sustainable Development between the European Union and the Republic of Colombia

The EU places the strengthening of the rule of law and the fight against impunity as its main priorities.

The EU maintains an ongoing dialogue with the Colombian authorities and civil society on human rights, covering issues such as support for human rights defenders, child protection, women's participation and empowerment, respect for the rights of the LGBTI+ community, promotion of corporate social responsibility, promotion of the rights of Afro-descendant and indigenous communities, and strengthening of the judicial sector, with significant support for the Comprehensive System of Justice, Truth, Reparation and Non-Repetition and for victims. This dialogue is complemented by a variety of political and cooperation actions aimed at advancing the protection of human rights and strengthening democracy in Colombia.

The European Union (27 Member States and almost 450 million inhabitants) is one of the world's leading trading blocs. The Trade Agreement between Colombia and the European Union (in force since 2013) goes beyond trade and tariff measures, by also covering the area of services, intellectual property, public procurement, and human rights.

Colombia is the European Union's first trading partner within the Andean Community, and the fifth in Latin America. The European Union is Colombia's third largest trading partner and the second largest source of foreign direct investment in the country. In 2022, Colombian exports to the European Union reached EUR 9,316 million. Agricultural products accounted for 29% of exports, including fresh bananas (EUR 708 million) and coffee (EUR 758 million). In the same period, Colombian imports from the European Union totaled EUR 8,535 million, consisting mainly of machinery and mechanical appliances (EUR 1,146 million), pharmaceuticals (EUR 1,128 million), and vehicles (EUR 618 million).

Acces2Markets is the tool that facilitates trade to and from the European Union.

Colombia is pursuing an ambitious agenda for connectivity and digital transformation. In the framework of the European Union - Latin America and Caribbean Digital Alliance (EU-LAC Digital Alliance), the EU has committed to work together on crucial digital areas such as connectivity, regulatory environment, skills development and entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as Earth observation data and satellite navigation applications and services.

This support seeks to promote the use of digital technologies for the peace agenda, the ecological transition, the conservation of natural resources, the closing of social and geographic gaps, and the strengthening of the integral presence of the Colombian state in the most remote regions of the country.

The EU-LAC Digital Alliance is the first intercontinental digital partnership agreed between the two regions under the Global Gateway investment strategy. Through Global Gateway, the EU is building mutually-beneficial partnerships on digital, climate, energy, health, transport, education, and research.

Since 2016 and more acutely for the past three years, Colombia's humanitarian situation has steadily worsened. Violence have increased due to the presence and of and disputes among armed groups. According to OCHA, 224 conflict-related events were recorded in 2022, affecting about 82,000 IDPs and 119,000 forcibly confined people. According to official figures, there are close to 2.9 M refugees and migrants from Venezuela registered in Colombia. Despite the Colombian government efforts to provide Temporary Protection Status for Venezuelans multiple challenges persist. Socio-economic vulnerabilities and protection risks are of concern.

Colombia is at high-risk from climate change impacts.

Since the beginning of the La Niña phenomenon in August 2021, 21 departments have declared a situation of public calamity. During 2022, 554,531 people were affected by climate variability events.