Secretary-General, Welcoming Colombia Joint Communiqué, Reiterates United Nations Commitment to Continue Supporting Efforts in Search of Peace

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the joint communiqué issued by the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army in Havana yesterday, announcing their decision to request the Security Council to establish a political mission in Colombia.  The mission would constitute the international component of a tripartite mechanism to monitor and verify a future agreement on a bilateral and definitive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, and the laying down of arms.

The Secretary-General also welcomes the parties’ request to the members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States to contribute international observers to the mission to be established by the United Nations.

The Secretary-General congratulates the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army on yet another significant step towards the peaceful resolution of the armed conflict.  He reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to continue to support their efforts in the search for peace.