PROIECT LA DISCIPLINA DREPT

DIPLOMATIC ȘI CONSULAR

Romania's diplomatic relations with Colombia

*The distance between Bucharest (right) and Bogotá (left) is 10451 km.

Content
I. Introduction
II. Country profile
 short history
 political information
 economic situation
 foreign policy

III. Bilateral relations

 diplomatic representation
 legal framework
 the Romanian community

IV.Travel conditions
V.Conclusions
VI.Bibliography

I. Introduction
According to the Vienna Convention of 18 April 1961 on Diplomatic Relations, the provisions of
Article 3 provide the particular functions of the diplomatic missions.

It also states that "Nothing in this Convention shall be construed to prohibit the diplomatic
mission from performing consular functions."1

Diplomatic relations are defined as: "the conduct, through representative bodies and by peaceful
means, of the external relations of a subject of international law with any other subject or
subjects."2

II. Country profile

Short history

Colombia (in Spanish Colombia), officially the Republic of Colombia is a country in the
northwestern part of South America, bordered on the northwest by Panama, on the east by
Venezuela and Brazil, on the south by Ecuador and Peru, on the west by the ocean. Pacific and
north with the Caribbean Sea. It is recognized that Colombia also has maritime borders with
Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica. The capital of
Colombia is Bogota3.

Colombia was discovered by the Spanish in 1499 and remained a colony until July 20, 1810,
when the War of Independence broke out. After 9 years of war, the Great Republic of Colombia
was declared, which included the present-day territories of Venezuela and Ecuador (independent
in 1830) and the province of Panama (independent in 1903).

The assassination of the (liberal) mayor of Bogota in April 1948 sparked a civil war (1949-1958)
in which 280,000 people lost their lives. After this period, the internal conflict acquired new
characteristics, but the political situation experienced a relative stabilization, with general
elections being organized periodically. Over the past 40 years, guerrilla action has led to a
gradual escalation of the internal situation, with a worrying escalation of the Colombian internal
conflict since 1998.

1
Convenția de la Viena din 18 aprilie 1961.
2
Nedelea Oana, Curs de Drept Diplomatic și Consular, 2010.
3
Columbia, articol disponibil pe Internet la adresa: https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia
The "democratic security" agenda was maintained by President Juan Manuel Santos (2010-
2018), who added the dimension of "democratic prosperity". The main achievements of his
mandate were the signing of the peace agreement with the FARC (Colombian Revolutionary
Armed Forces) guerrillas, the opening of negotiations for Colombia's admission to the OECD
and the strengthening of cooperation with NATO, Colombia being the only Latin American
state”.

Peace talks between the government and the FARC guerrillas began on October 16, 2012, in
Oslo, and since November 2012 have continued in Havana. Venezuela, Chile, Cuba and Norway
have been actively involved in supporting the peace process, which has also been welcomed by
the EU, the US and most Latin American countries.

According to the General Agreement on Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and
Sustainable Peace, agreed by the Colombian government and the FARC, the main topics of
negotiation were: rural development policy; the participation of former FARC fighters in
political life; drug trafficking; victims' rights; the actual termination of the conflict.

The final peace agreement was signed on September 26, 2016, but it was voted down in a
referendum on October 2, 2016. Both the government and the FARC leaders have expressed
their willingness to continue their efforts for peace. Negotiations have led to the signing of a new
Final Agreement on November 26, 2016, which is currently being implemented.

In recognition of his contribution, President Juan Manuel Santos was named the winner of the
2016 Nobel Peace Prize.

The main priorities of the current administration led by President Iván Duque Márquez are:
legality, impunity and equality; environment, technology and innovation ("Orange economy").

Political information

The President of the Republic of Colombia is Iván Duque Márquez (appointed on August 7,
2018), the Vice President is Marta Lucia Ramirez de Rincon (appointed on August 7, 2018), the
President of the Senate is Juan Diego Gómez Jiménez (July 20, 2021), the President of the House
of Representatives is Jennifer Kristin Arias Falla (July 20, 2021), and the Minister of Foreign
Affairs is Marta Lucia Ramirez de Rincon, Vice President (May 31, 2021).

Economical situation

Colombia's economy is a market economy. The transition from a directed economy to a free
economy is underway.
Colombia is a market economy country, where most of its economic and investment ties are to
the United States, which is its first trading partner. The EU is Colombia's second largest trading
partner.

External politics

Romania's foreign policy agenda is dominated by active participation, as an EU Member State, in

developing and implementing coherent solutions to Europe's current problems, such as reviving
economic growth, combating unemployment, overcoming internal fragmentation, creating a
"union" ”, finalizing the architecture of European economic governance, relations with a
neighborhood marked by instability.

Romania's foreign policy is characterized by openness to states on all continents, the

development of dynamic relations with them both politically and in the fields of economy,
science, culture and education.

III. Bilateral relations

Diplomatic representation

Romanian Embassy in the Republic of Colombia: is headed by Claudia Tușa, in charge of a.i.
(from November 2020).

The Embassy of the Republic of Colombia in Poland provides diplomatic representation to the
Republic of Colombia in Romania. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Accredited in
Romania since July 18, 2018 is Javier Dario Higuera Angel, residing in Warsaw

Honorary consulates of Romania in the Republic of Colombia operate in:

 Barranquilla (2004) - is led by Mr. Jose Jesús Daccarett Giha

 Medellin (2006) - is led by Mr. Alvaro Gomez Jaramillo
  Cali - is led by Mr. Ernesto de Lima Bohmer.4

The legal framework

 Agreement of cultural and scientific collaboration between the Government of the

Socialist Republic of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Colombia (1968).
 Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of
Colombia on cooperation in the field of tourism (1991).
 Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of
Colombia on the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic, official or service passports
(1993).
 Agreement on technical, scientific and technological cooperation between the
Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Colombia (1994).
 General Agreement of Friendship and Cooperation between Romania and the Republic
of Colombia (1996).

The Romanian community

Romanian citizens, holders of diplomatic, service and simple passports can travel to Colombia
without a visa, if the length of stay does not exceed 90 days.

All citizens of the Republic of Colombia, holders of simple, diplomatic, service or official
passports can travel to Romania without a visa if the duration of the stay does not exceed 90 days
in a compact period of 180 days. (Latin America and the Caribbean Directorate - November
2021)

IV. Travel conditions

4
Relațiile bilaterale ale României cu Columbia, disponibil pe Internet la adresa: https://www.mae.ro/bilateral-
relations/1925#889
Romanian citizens who want to travel to the Republic of Colombia for tourist purposes do not
need a visa to enter this country.

In order to enter Colombia, Romanian citizens traveling for tourism must hold a passport valid
for at least six months from the time of entry and provide proof of a return ticket.

The legal period of stay is up to 90 days, a term that can be extended to the Directorate for
Foreigners (Dirección de Extranjería) - Administrative Department of Security (DAS) of Bogota
(calle 100, no.11B-27, tel. 601.72. 69) or from any department capital.

If the purpose of the trip is other than tourism (studies, work, business) or for an extended stay, it
is necessary to obtain a visa. Colombia has no embassy in Romania.

Terrorism is a global, unlocated phenomenon, so Colombia cannot be ruled out in the face of this
threat. The risk of terrorist threats in Colombia is high.

Colombia is a country with a high level of crime and violence caused by guerrilla troops (FARC,
ELN, etc.) and drug trafficking.

V. Conclusions

Given the information presented above, we can conclude that Romania's relations with the
Republic of Colombia were established on November 15, 1967.

Colombia is a country with a population of 48,258,494 million, according to the 2018 census and
a territory of 1,138,910 km2.

The capital is Bogotá and the main cities are Barranquilla, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Cucuta,
Popayan, Bucaramanga, Tunja, Turbo, Buenaventura, Tumaco.

The form of government is represented by the presidential republic, and the legislative power is
exercised by the National Congress, consisting of the Senate (108 members) and the House of
Representatives (172 members). In the Colombian political system, the Senate is the upper house
of the legislature.
 VI. Bibliography

 Site-ul Ministerului Afacerilor Externe,

disponibil pe Internet la adresa:
https://www.mae.ro/bilateral-relations/1924#889
 Nedelea, Oana, Curs de Drept Diploatic și
Consular, 2010.
 Columbia, articol disponibil pe Internet la
adresa: https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia