Statement on the peace process in Colombia
News story | Date: 20/10/2023 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
‘Norway commends the government and the guerrilla group EMC-FARC in Colombia for starting peace negotiations,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
‘It is positive that the peace process in Colombia extends to include negotiations with other armed groups. Norway has accepted the parties' invitation as a guarantor country in the process for a peaceful solution for the good of Colombia's civilians,’ said Eide.
Norway has been involved in peace and reconciliation efforts in Colombia for several decades.
‘A peaceful solution to the conflict between the government and EMC-FARC would be an important contribution to reduce the violence that affects vulnerable groups in the conflict-ridden regions of the country,’ said Eide.
EMC-FARC consists among others of defectors from the former FARC guerrilla. The group is not the same as the one that signed the peace agreement under the name FARC-EP in 2016 and has since laid down its arms.