VP/HR — Decision not to send an election observation delegation for the presidential elections in Colombia

5.6.2018

Question for written answer E-003063-18
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Ana Miranda (Verts/ALE) , Molly Scott Cato (Verts/ALE) , Ernest Urtasun (Verts/ALE)

Our Parliamentary Group regrets that the European Union did not send a long-term election observation mission for the upcoming elections in Colombia, in view of the historic moment, the delicate situation and the opposition to the peace process from some quarters. Having become involved in the peace process, the European Union is now adopting a contradictory position by not sending a delegation of the scale required by a country such as Colombia, in contrast to the delegations sent to Paraguay, Honduras, Tunisia and East Timor among others. An extended presence by a delegation would have contributed to stability and to the avoidance of fraud or violence in view of the level of confrontation in the country.

Can the VP/HR explain the reasons for the cancellation of the planned election observation mission?