Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing tensions between Venezuela and Colombia; and if the European Union proposes to seek to assist in any way in this matter. [41917/09]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his and the EU's reaction to the establishment of US defence centres in Colombia in view of the ongoing crisis between Colombia and Venezuela; the reason for their installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41916/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 110 together.

On 30 October 2009, a bilateral agreement, entitled A Supplemental Agreement for Cooperation and Technical Assistance and Security, was signed by Colombia and the United States. Articles Three and Four of this Agreement provide for continued U.S. access to specific Colombian facilities in order to undertake mutually agreed activities within Colombia and for the location of up to 800 U.S. military personnel and up to 600 U.S. civilian contractors at seven military bases in Colombia. I understand that the Agreement was considered in the Union of South American Nations Defence Council on 10 August 2009. A number of countries, including Venezuela, have indicated their objection to this Agreement. Events on the Colombian-Venezuelan border in recent days are indeed a matter of concern and the EU is following them closely. We fully support Brazilian President Lula's reported efforts to reduce the tensions that have arisen between these two neighbouring countries.