I wholeheartedly congratulate President Santos on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, an honour highly deserved. And I hope that the Nobel Peace Prize will give him the energy and the incentive to continue his resolute work to bring lasting peace to Colombia.

At a time when bloody conflicts are raging all around the world, Colombia provides an instance of hope. But the country is still facing huge challenges: not only must it rapidly establish the legal basis for the implementation of the peace agreements; it must also overcome the broad divides in society ripped open by the political conflict over the peace accord. That will not come about overnight. It is all the more important, therefore, not to lose any time in proving to the people waiting so longingly for a more peaceful life that the peace agreement with the FARC exists not just on paper.

Work must begin already on projects to stabilise the situation in the conflict areas and to visibly improve the living conditions of the people there. Germany has supported Colombia on the path to peace over the last ten years, and our support certainly will not wither now as the country follows the winding road towards implementation of the peace accord.