(Bogotá, November 18, 2022). The VIII High-Level Political Dialogue between Colombia and the European Union (EU) was held in Bogotá D.C., Colombia, on the 18^th of November 2022, chaired by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Ambassador Francisco Coy Granados and the Director for the Americas of the European External Action Service of the European Union, Javier Niño.

The Dialogue was dynamic and fruitful, during which the parties reaffirmed their shared values ​​and interests and their desire to continue deepening the bilateral relationship, which, in the current international geopolitical context, is consolidated as a long-term strategic relationship. In this sense, Colombia and the European Union took an important step by inaugurating exploratory consultations in preparation for the negotiations of an Association and Cooperation agreement. The European Union confirmed its willingness to start negotiations in the first half of 2023, once the formal prerequisites have been completed.

As it was the first high-level Political Dialogue under the Government of President Gustavo Petro Urrego, the internal and external political priorities of the new government were presented. The European Union recognised the advances in the first 100 days of government, stating that peace, environment and social justice are mutual priorities.

The European Union highlighted its commitment to the comprehensive implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement and its interest in and support for achieving Total Peace. In this context, Colombia and the European Union consider that gender equality promoted in the women, peace and security agenda (resolution 1325) is essential.

Colombia and the European Union highlighted the dynamism of the relationship, noting that, since the previous edition of this Dialogue, held in February 2022, structured dialogues on environment, climate action and sustainable development, as well as on drugs were established, while the sectoral round-tables established in the last meeting are advancing. The Parties agreed to hold, as soon as possible, the editions of the dialogues on human rights, drugs, and security and defence. The latter, together with the III Bi-regional Seminar on Security and Defence EU/South America plus Mexico.

The parties also addressed other issues on the bilateral agenda. In terms of cooperation, Colombia thanked the European Union for the financial support it announced and expressed its interest in continuing to coordinate the implementation of cooperation in accordance with the country priorities.

In terms of economic and commercial matters, note was taken of the commercial dynamics and of the Multiparty agreement, which reaches its tenth anniversary in 2023 and it was agreed to continue working to address common challenges within the framework of the current international context and economic, social and environmental sustainability objectives.

The parties also addressed issues of energy and food security, noting, among other things, agreement on energy transition.

On the issue of migration, Colombia thanked the European Union for the announcement made by the European Union Crisis Management Commissioner, Janez Lenarčič, in Panama City on the 12^th of October 2022, to co-host the International Conference of Solidarity with the refugees and migrants from Venezuela and with host communities, during the first trimester of 2023.

They also discussed priority issues in the multilateral framework and it was agreed that for the IX Dialogue, the issues of gender, youth, ethnic populations and those with diverse sexual orientation and gender identities would be addressed.

Finally, the parties held an exchange on issues of common interest at the regional and multilateral levels. They valued the results of the third meeting of CELAC-EU Foreign Ministers, held in Buenos Aires on 27^th of October 2022, strengthening bi-regional relations and representing an important step towards the bi-regional Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in 2023.

The parties confirmed their shared views on common challenges such as the urgency of continuing to work to address climate change, the strengthening of democracy and multilateralism, and the need for a more secure world. In this regard, Colombia and the European Union reiterated their condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and their firm commitment to international peace and security and a rules-based multilateral order, which they are determined to defend in the various United Nations fora.

The European Union thanked Colombia for once again hosting the political dialogue, and it was agreed that the next meeting would be held in Brussels, Belgium, on a date to be agreed in 2023.

This is not an official translation.