Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the meeting between senior officials from the United Nations and the Government of Colombia

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Kieran Prendergast, chaired a meeting with a high-level delegation from the Government of Colombia that included Vice-President, Francisco Santos, and Foreign Minister, Carolina Barco. Mr. Prendergast was joined by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Jan Egeland, and the Special Adviser for Colombia, as well as representatives from UNDP, UNHCR, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and UNICEF. The Secretary-General took the opportunity to meet the participants.

In the meeting, there was an open and constructive exchange, particularly on the human rights and humanitarian situations in Colombia, and on the good offices provided by the Secretary General since 1999 in the search for a negotiated solution to the conflict.

It was made clear at today's meeting that the good offices of the Secretary-General remain available to Colombia. Should circumstances change and the parties request that the United Nations resume an active good offices role in the future, the Secretary-General will be ready to consider how best to help. Meanwhile, Mr. James LeMoyne will in April be concluding his term as Special Adviser, after five years' service for the Secretary-General on Colombia.

The United Nations and the Government of Colombia agreed to continue discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation in the areas of human rights and humanitarian assistance, for the benefit of the Colombian people.