The European Union Commissioner for Development signed an agreement supporting the policy of land restitution and rural development in Colombia, as well as a bill designating new “peace territories,” Spanish news agency EFE reported Wednesday
During his second visit to Colombia Commissioner Andris Piebalgs visited projects supported by the European Union (EU), including peace initiatives being developed in the north of the country.
He said that the new projects will benefit the people who live in the departments of Guaviare and Caqueta in the south of the country as will those in the Atlantico department in the north.
The first project allows the EU to continue its efforts in creating peace, especially by returning land to small-scale farmers who were displaced from their homes by illegal armed groups.
“Through this, the European Union not only supports the theme of the restitution and formalization of land but also supports the policy of the government in terms of rural development,” stated an EU press release.
The EU will also give technical support to the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in order to assist in the implementation of their policies, the promotion of public debate on a national and regional level, and the strengthening of the institutional capacity and social fabric.
On Wednesday Piebalgs will meet with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in Bogota to offer his perspective of his visit to the Latin American country.