ABSTRACT
Colombia and EU-Colombia relations are in focus in this chapter. Fossil fuel export revenues make a significant contribution to the Colombian economy, which has been vulnerable to drops in commodity prices. However, the past 25 years have also seen important structural transformations and shifts towards economic diversification. The 2016 peace agreement that ended the internal conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) considerably improved Colombia’s political stability, although a stable economy and continued political commitment are needed to ensure lasting peace. Rural development, climate action, and economic diversification are important entry points for EU-Colombia cooperation to support both decarbonisation and post-conflict development processes. Overall, the chapter argues that the EU can build on a sound basis for cooperation, with increasing political dialogue in relevant areas of mutual interest. The EU was a valuable partner in the final stages of the peace process and possesses significant potential to tackle the root causes of the conflict as a donor as well as via investment and trade.
