Following Colombia, Revolutionary Armed Forces Talks, Secretary-General Calls on International Community to Lend Full Support towards Peace Process

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

Four years ago, the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP [Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia — Ejército del Pueblo/Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia — People’s Army] set out to resolve through dialogue one of the world’s oldest armed conflicts.   Today, they announced they have concluded their negotiations and will deliver to the Colombian people the results of their discussions.

The Secretary-General warmly congratulates President Juan Manuel Santos, FARC-EP leader Timoleón Jiménez and their negotiating teams in Havana for their hard work and patience in reaching this stage in the process.  He also congratulates the many Colombian organizations and citizens who have contributed to the talks with their proposals and encouragement.

He commends the guarantors, Cuba and Norway, and accompanying countries Chile and Venezuela, for their unfailing support to the talks.

Now that the negotiations have concluded, an equally determined and exemplary effort will be required to implement the agreements.  The Secretary-General calls upon the international community to lend its full support to Colombia at this new and critical stage of the peace process.

The United Nations will strive to continue and intensify the support it has given to peace efforts over the years through its agencies, funds, programmes, and the United Nations Mission in Colombia, which is mandated to verify the ceasefire and the laying down of arms.  We will stand with Colombia in its drive to build a future in peace.