It had been the original intention of the European Commission to conclude a Trade Agreement with the entire Andean Community. The left-wing governments of Ecuador and Bolivia have left the negotiations not least because of the offensive demands of the EU. Tightening the protection of intellectual property rights and the undermining of the public sector would have meant massive disadvantages for the Andean countries. The one-sided continuation of the negotiations with Columbia and Peru has increased the existing tensions within the Andean Community and clearly poses a risk to regional integration.

In his statement, De Gucht admits the appalling human rights situation in Columbian, thinks, however, that the government should be rewarded for its commitment to a liberal economic policy. Free Trade, commented the Commissioner, would contribute to reducing poverty and to achieving peace and freedom. Columbia would get the opportunity to export agricultural products and raw materials to Europe. In return, the EU would be able to develop an additional market, especially for industrial finished products, milk powder and alcoholic products. The winner is obvious: the sale of industrial products is far more profitable than that of agricultural products and raw materials. Apart from that, it will be difficult for the Columbian economy to compete with efficiently produced European goods. One thing is clear - this Agreement will not result in reducing poverty in Columbia and stabilising the Andean region.