The European Union (EU) will help accelerate normalization of diplomatic relations between Colombia and Ecuador, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said during a visit to Colombia on Thursday.
Speaking at a joint press conference held after his meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in Bogota, Solana said the combat against a rebel organization in March should not negatively impact the long-standing and profound brotherhood between Colombia and Ecuador, and that the EU would spare no efforts to promote the restoration of ties between the two countries.
Meanwhile, he urged both sides to re-establish mutual trust and foster a favorable environment for restoring the bilateral relationship.
Solana had negotiated the issue with Ecuador's President Rafael Correa in Brussels early this month.
On March 1, Colombia launched a cross-border raid against a rebel camp of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in Ecuador, killing 26 people, including Raul Reyes, the second-in-command of the FARC, and an Ecuadorian, Franklin Aisalia.
Ecuador protested against Colombia's violation of its sovereignty and severed their diplomatic relations on March 3. Meanwhile, Colombia accused the Ecuadorian government of helping the FARC.
The confirmation of Aisalia's death instigated new condemnation from Ecuador later. The two sides have not restored their diplomatic relations to date.
After arriving in Bogota on Wednesday, Solana also had meetings with Colombian Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo and representatives from European businesses operating in Colombia.
Solana and Uribe will attend the summit of heads of state and government of Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union (LAC-EU) on Friday.
Source: Xinhua
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