Commissioner for international cooperation and development Neven Mimica said during a visit to Colombia this week that the EU would launch a joint initiative with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.

He explained: “Restoring rural areas that were affected by the prolonged armed conflict is at the heart of Colombia's peace agreement, and an important priority for our development cooperation with the country. We will support Colombia’s efforts to build lasting peace by strengthening rural communities and agricultural productivity.”

The EU will assist Colombian government institutions involved in food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture through targeted policy assistance and capacity building.

Work will focus on the comprehensive rural reform plan that formed part of the November 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The EU has supported initiatives aimed at supporting Colombia’s peace processes with some €1.5bn over the past 17 years.