Accord Reached by Parties on Victims in Colombia Brings Country Closer to Ending Hemisphere’s Longest Armed Conflict

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the agreement reached by the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in Havana, on 23 September, on the issue of victims.  He commends the parties' commitment to place victims at the centre of the peace process.

The announcements made in Havana by the parties represent significant progress towards reaching a final peace agreement and bring Colombia even closer to ending the hemisphere’s longest armed conflict.

The Secretary-General looks forward to welcoming President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia at the United Nations in New York and hearing his views about the way forward for the peace process.

The Secretary-General commends the role of guarantor countries, Cuba and Norway, as well as of Chile and Venezuela as accompanying nations, in assisting this peace process.

The Secretary-General reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to continue supporting the parties as they advance in their work towards reaching a peace agreement, particularly through the work of his Delegate to the Sub-Commission on End of Conflict.  He also reiterates the willingness of the United Nations system to provide the support required to ensure the successful implementation of the peace agreement in Colombia for the advancement of peace, human rights and development for all its citizens.