"We have a cordial and reliable partnership based on trust," declared Chancellor Angela Merkel after her meeting with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. Their talks focused on Colombia’s peace process, bilateral relations and economic and regional issues.

Fostering the peace process

"The situation today in Colombia is marked by the courageous peace process initiated by the President, which is currently in a crucial phase," said the Chancellor following talks with Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos. She reported that she had pledged Germany’s full support in this process.

In Columbia a conflict has been smouldering for decades between right-wing paramilitary groups, left-wing guerrillas and the Colombian army.

Development cooperation important

Angela Merkel welcomed the fact that President Santo had set out ideas "that point the way forward for the economic development of rebel groups, integration and genuine reconciliation". This presupposes intensive cooperation with friends and partners around the globe, said the Chancellor.

"We have identified the fact that development cooperation with Germany can be an important factor in this context." The two countries have cooperated closely for years, said the Chancellor and gave an example. "In the field of financial cooperation, we have extended long-term loans which make it possible to forge ahead with the development of certain projects."

Priority areas of cooperation

The two countries cooperate closely in the fields of biodiversity and climate change mitigation, partly "in view of the need to develop rural parts of Colombia properly", said Angela Merkel.

Cooperation in the field of scientific and academic research too is to be extended. At present, more than 2,000 Colombians are studying at German universities. University twinning arrangements exist and exchanges are taking place between academics and lecturers.

Germany is also supporting Colombia in the vocational training sector – and this too is to be accorded higher priority in future in development cooperation.

Building international alliances

"We also discussed how and to what extent Europe can help Colombia," said Angela Merkel. She would prefer to see a common, coordinated European approach to support the South American state.

Colombia’s international engagement was another item on the agenda, including its contribution to Operation Atalanta. A Colombian frigate is part of the mission. International cooperation must be strengthened, said Angela Merkel.

Operation Atalanta is a an EU multinational operation to protect humanitarian relief supplies to Somalia, ensure free shipping channels and fight piracy off the coast of Somalia around the Horn of Africa and in the Gulf of Aden.

The scene is set

"The scene is set for further intensive cooperation," declared the Chancellor. She wished the President and the Colombian people tangible progress in the difficult negotiations. "After decades of serious conflicts it would be a good message for the people of Colombia if peace could genuinely be achieved," said Angela Merkel.

Germany is Colombia’s principal trading partner in the EU. There has been a marked growth in bilateral trade in recent years. The total volume of development cooperation with Germany for 2013 and 2014 stands at 129 million euros.