Colombia: EC Aid

Mr. Hancock
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions her Department had with the Colombian Defence Minister during his recent visit on (a) UK and (b) EU support for Plan Colombia, part II; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Hoon
My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Kim Howells, held constructive talks with the Colombian Defence Minister, Juan Manuel Santos, during his recent visit to London. There was no specific mention of Plan Colombia, part II. However, issues discussed during the meeting included the peace process in Colombia and human rights reforms in the Colombian military. My hon. Friend the Minister of State also expressed the UK’s continuing support on counter-narcotics and stated that the UK was keen to encourage other EU member states to support Colombia in its counter- narcotics efforts.