Secretary-General, Welcoming Start of New Colombia Peace Talks, Expresses Hopes

for End to Western Hemisphere’s Longest Armed Conflict

 

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the start of peace talks between the Government of Colombia and representatives of the National Liberation Army (ELN), announced today.

Combined with the progress already achieved in the ongoing talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the Secretary-General hopes that this new development will contribute to ending the hemisphere’s longest armed conflict and to building sustainable peace for the Colombian people.

The Secretary-General encourages all concerned parties to remain committed to the pursuit of peace in Colombia.  He reiterates the willingness of the United Nations to support the peace process.

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For information media • not an official record