The meeting in Bogota brought together Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso and King Felipe VI of Spain, along with other key figures, to discuss a range of bilateral issues before the upcoming inauguration ceremonies in Colombia. A central topic was the ease of travel for Ecuadorians to the European Union, with a focus on improving access and mobility for citizens who wish to visit or live in EU member states.
During the discussions, there was emphasis on the long standing cooperation between Spain and the European Community in matters affecting Ecuador. In particular, discussions touched on the potential removal of the Schengen visa requirement for Ecuadorian passport holders. The talks, which lasted roughly thirty minutes, were described by the Ecuadorian press agency as constructive and forward-looking.
President Lasso noted that King Felipe VI was very understanding about Ecuador’s concerns and expressed warmth and genuine concern for Ecuador. The Spanish monarch reiterated his readiness to support Ecuadorian initiatives and to advocate for the country in forums where EU policy is shaped.
For several years, Ecuador has been engaging with the European Union over visa policies and broader mobility arrangements. Spain has been identified as one of the leading supporters of proposals that would simplify travel between Ecuador and EU member states. According to Lasso, negotiations are progressing through standard diplomatic channels, and the royal endorsement is seen as a meaningful boost to those efforts.
The bilateral dialogue also served as a curtain-raiser for broader regional discussions. The two leaders, along with other heads of state, were preparing to participate in the Colombia event later that day, which included the ceremonial affirmation of Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez as president and vice president, respectively. Other regional figures, including Argentina’s Alberto Fernández and Chile’s Gabriel Boric, were also set to engage in the day’s agenda.
King Felipe VI headed the Spanish delegation for the events in Bogota, accompanied by Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. He planned meetings with President Iván Duque of Colombia and with the incoming administration to discuss ongoing cooperation, regional security, and economic ties. The discussions underscored Spain’s ongoing commitment to supporting Colombia and its neighbors in navigating a period of political transition and regional integration. The exchanges highlighted how EU diplomatic channels and member state-level diplomacy intersect with Latin American policy goals, aiming to foster mobility, investment, and people-to-people ties across the Atlantic. The outcome of these talks was framed as a step toward strengthening the strategic partnership between the EU, Spain, and countries in the Andean region, with potential implications for visa policy, development cooperation, and regional stability. [Sources: Reuters] [Context: Diplomatic meetings in Bogota prior to Colombia inauguration]