EU Presidency statement on the release of former FARC fighters

The Presidency of the European Union takes note of the release from prison of a large number of former fighters of the FARC guerrilla group by the Colombian Government, and would call to mind once again the statement which it issued on 23 February 2007 to mark the fifth anniversary of the kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt and her campaign director.

Against this backdrop, the European Union reiterates clearly and unambiguously that it condemns kidnappings regardless of where they occur. Therefore, the European Union once again urges illegal groups in Colombia to release all abductees immediately and to distance themselves from abductions and hostage-taking.