Secretary-General Welcomes New Measures to Accelerate Peace Process in Colombia

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the announcements made yesterday in Havana of the intention of the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia] to put in place new measures to de-escalate the current fighting in Colombia and to accelerate the negotiations in order to reach a peace agreement as soon as possible.

The Secretary-General further welcomes the intention of the parties to invite the United Nations to accompany discussions in the sub-committee focusing on end-of-conflict issues.  The Secretary-General reiterates the willingness of the United Nations to provide all support required to ensure the successful conclusion of the negotiations and the implementation of a peace agreement in Colombia.