Agreement on new peace accord in Colombia

'I am pleased that the parties have reached a new peace accord based on the suggestions put forward in the national dialogue,' said Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. 'The agreement represents a new opportunity for Colombia to end decades of conflict. It is important that the international community supports its implementation.'

The original peace agreement was voted down in a referendum on 2 October. Afterwards, President Santos conducted a wide-ranging national dialogue to secure the peace in Colombia and create the broadest possible support for a new agreement. In the new peace accord, the parties have addressed a range of proposed amendments and suggestions that were raised in the national dialogue.

The peace negotiations began formally in Oslo in October 2012 and since then have taken place in Havana. Together with Cuba, Norway has facilitated the negotiations. The armed conflict in Colombia has lasted more than 50 years and cost hundreds of thousands of Colombian lives. More than six million people have been displaced within their own country.