European cooperation serving transparency and the fight against organized crime in Colombia

The Steering Committee of ACTUE-Colombia met to evaluate the work performed under the project. The meeting highlighted its contribution to the needs of bodies in the country that promote transparency, in addition to strengthening its capabilities and inter-institutional coordination.

The project, which is funded by the European Commission and managed by FIIAPP, provides support to the Colombian government for preventing and fighting corruption. It is based on a flexible and accessible demand-oriented cooperation model. The work of FIAPP has been particularly notable in this area as it understands and adapts to the national context.

Since the project is planned to end in 2018, Liliana Caballero – director of the Colombian Civil Service – has asked that the continuity of these initiatives be guaranteed under the new government.

Also taking part were the Secretary for Transparency, Gabriel Cifuentes, the head of the cooperation section of the European Union Delegation to the country, Francisco García, and representatives from other Colombian public bodies.

On another note, the SEACOP project focuses on cooperation between ports in the fight against illegal drug trafficking by sea and international criminal networks under the “Cocaine Route” programme of the European Union Instrument contributing Stability and Peace (IcSP). The visit by the Director of FIIAPP to Colombia served to formalize the participation of the Colombian National Navy in this project and demonstrate its strong commitment, which is essential for developing and implementing it.

Colombia is strongly committed to international cooperation and the exchange of experiences with similar administrations as part of its public policy reform processes. It also has the active support of FIIAPP through the main European regional and bilateral cooperation programmes.