Belgium's Minister of Home Affairs Annelies Verlinden and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson are visiting Ecuador and Colombia from 26 February to 2 March 2023, the minister's office said in a statement on Sunday night.
This official visit aims to strengthen cooperation between Belgium, the European Union and the two South American countries in the global fight against drug trafficking.
Verlinden and Johansson will meet with Ecuadorian and Colombian authorities to discuss the need to intensify joint efforts against criminal groups. They will also visit the port of Guayaquil in Ecuador. During her visit, Verlinden will sign a protocol on cooperation with Ecuador in the fight against organised crime.
Related News
- Police in Ecuador seize 8.8 tons of cocaine hidden in bananas bound for Belgium
- 'Absolute top priority': Belgium takes seven measures to fight drug violence
For her part, Johansson announced that the EU will launch a pilot project with Colombia and Europol on police cooperation and information exchange.
On Sunday, the Ecuadorian police also announced the seizure of approximately 8.8 tonnes of cocaine hidden between bananas in a container bound for Belgium in the port of Guayaquil.
