Patricia Llombart took over as EU ambassador to Colombia on February 5. (Credit: Delegation of the European Union to Colombia)

Llombert, a native of Valencia in Spain, will focus her efforts on carrying out the various EU projects related to the post-conflict era of Colombia, especially the oversight of the EU Peace Fund that aims to advance rural development now that the nation has signed a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group.

According to the embassy, she will also work on promoting commercial relations and helping to further advance the bilateral trade agreement between the two locations. Additionally, Llombart will look to increase collaboration on the education initiative Erasmus+ and the science, technology, and innovation program Horizon 2020.

“Being the ambassador of the EU in Colombia — at such an important time for the country and with such close relations — is at the same time a great satisfaction and a great responsibility,” said Llombart.

The new ambassador, who has earned master’s degrees in international trade and European studies, has more than two decades of experience within international relations and foreign policy institutions within the European Union.

Prior to accepting the post in Bogotá, she served as the director of infrastructure, budget and security at the headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels.

(Photo credit: Wiktor Dabkowski, Action Press)