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Foreign Minister Gabriel on support for the peace agreement in Colombia
Today (30 March) Foreign Minister Gabriel commented as follows on the signing of a cooperation agreement on practical support for the UN Mission in Colombia provided by the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW):
The United Nations and Germany have launched a unique form of cooperation, under which THW experts are doing their bit to help stabilise Colombia and in particular to support the recently commenced disarmament of former combatants.
The conflict lasted for more than 50 years and claimed more than 200,000 lives. It is thus now of vital importance that the peace agreement between the Government and the FARC guerillas be implemented rigorously and rapidly. The United Nations is playing a key role in this process with its Mission in Colombia. It can rest assured of Germany’s support.
Background information:
Strengthening the United Nations is one of Germany’s key foreign policy priorities. At the request of the United Nations, a group of experts from the THW is working in Colombia, with Federal Foreign Office support, to put in place essential information and communications technology for the UN Mission. This THW mission is the first ever mission by a civilian organisation of its kind under UN auspices.
The UN Mission in Colombia was charged by the UN Security Council, in resolution 2261 of 25 January 2016, with monitoring and verifying the ceasefire between the Colombian Government and the FARC rebels and supporting the peace process between the parties.
