By Emily Smith - 9th February 2004
Europol and the Colombian police force on Monday signed an agreement to join forces in the fight against crime.
The move came at outset of an official visit by Colombian president Alvaro Uribe Velez to the European Commission.
General director of the Colombian police force general Jorge Daniel Castro Castro welcomed the agreement, heralding it as a "great process" against "internationally organised crime that affects us all."
The agreement will make it easier for Colombia and the EU to trade information on all areas of concern, from drugs trafficking to money laundering.
The Colombian police will also set up an office at Europol’s headquarters in The Hague.
President Uribe underlined the “friendly” relations between Brussels and Colombia, and the importance of Central and Latin America in international negotiations.
He committed his country to stamping out its burgeoning drugs trade, particularly in rural areas where the government’s authority is often questioned.
He also stressed his zero tolerance attitude to Columbian rebels responsible for a spate of kidnappings in the country.
“These are terrorists… There will be no negotiations with terrorists.”
But Uribe's positive words on EU-Colombian relations are expected to be given a frosty welcome from many MEPs when he visits the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday.
Leaders of three of the parliament's political groups have already loudly protested the visit of the president because of doubts over Uribe's human rights record.
The Colombian leader is also set to meet Commission President Romano Prodi, External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten and Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy.
He will have talks with Farm Commissioner Franz Fischler in Strasbourg later the same day.
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