Komunikati

The European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Andean Countries condemns in the strongest terms the assassination of the Colombian Senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, who succumbed on 11 August 2025 to injuries sustained during an armed attack in Bogotá on 7 June 2025. This cowardly act of political violence represents a serious attack on democratic life in Colombia.

Mr. Biedron, and his colleagues extend their deepest condolences to Senator Uribe's family, friends, colleagues, and to the people of Colombia.

The European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Andean wishes to express solidarity with all Colombians who reject violence and defend democratic values. DAND welcomes the swift action by Colombian authorities to investigate the crime but stresses that full justice requires identifying and prosecuting all those responsible, including the instigators of this vile attack.

The tragic death of Senator Uribe, known for his commitment to civic engagement and public service, is a reminder of the urgent need to protect political actors, human rights defenders, journalists, and all citizens exercising their democratic rights. Political violence must have no place in Colombia's democratic process.

Signed: DAND Chair, Robert Biedron (S&D, PL), and DAND co-chairs, Jessika van Leeuwen (EPP, NL) and Cristina Guarda (Greens, IT)

The EP'sDelegation attended an inter-parliamentary meeting, the first held in Quito since 2018, between the European Parliament and the National Assembly of Ecuador. MEPs held high-level meetings with Ecuadorian Authorities as well as civil society and business representatives.

The European Parliament Delegation for Relations with countries of the Andean community (DAND), led by the Chair, Mr Robert Biedron (S&D, PL), and composed of Members of Parliament (MEP) Anthony Smith (The Left, FR) and Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez (EPP, ES) travelled to Ecuador from 16 to 18 September 2025.

The Meps attended an important Inter-Parliamentary Meeting between the European Parliament and the National Assembly of Ecuador, the first organised in Quito since 2018.

During this meeting, MEPs engaged in fruitful discussions with their Ecuadorian counterparts on a range of important issues, including political and economic relations, security, fight against organised crime and drug trafficking along with the promotion and defence of human rights and the encouraging of respect for the Rule of Law.

MEPs also acknowledged the challenges and the difficult context Ecuador is currently facing, and expressed their continued support for reinforcing bilateral relations with Ecuador, in particular parliamentary cooperation. Members also discussed the importance of restoring national security and stability while emphasizing the need to respect human rights and the Rule of Law. They also underscore the importance of a coordinated response to regional and global challenges.

The Delegation was received by John Reimberg, Minister of Interior, Ms Gabriela Sommerfeld, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr Roberto Quintero, Vice-Minister of Defence. The Dean of the Andean University Simon Bolivar (UASB) then invited them on a campus visit, where they had the opportunity to visit a museum, meet other UASB authorities, all alongside members of the EU diplomatic corps accredited to Ecuador.

The second part of the mission was dedicated to meetings with Ecuadorian civil society and business organizations, in particular those active in agricultural, aquacultural sectors (fruits and vegetables, flowers and seafood) which have traditionally been exported to the European Union in great numbers.

On the last day, MEPs travelled to Santa Cruz (Galapagos Islands) where they met with local authorities and visited the 'Fausto Llerena' Turtle Breeding Centre and the Charles Darwin Research Foundation.

On behalf of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with the countries of the Andean Community (DAND), Mr Robert Biedroń welcomes the outcome of the Ecuador's presidential elections.

The DAND Chair congratulates Mr Daniel Noboa on his re-election as President of Ecuador and expresses his appreciation for the democratic participation of the people of Ecuador in the second round of elections.

DAND reaffirms its standing commitment towards closer and deeper relations with the Parliament of Ecuador and stands ready to work with Ecuador on issues of common interest such as bilateral political and economic relations, defence of human and social rights, the fight against transnational crime and drug trafficking, as well as addressing numerous issues related to climate change.

The DAND Chair wishes to commend the exceptional work carried out by the EU Election Observation Mission led by Chief Observer Gabriel Mato and comprising more than 100 observers from 25 EU Member States, as well as Norway and Canada.