Signing of peace agreement in Colombia – Switzerland represented by the State Secretary of the FDFA

Bern, 22.09.2016 - Yves Rossier, the State Secretary of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will represent Switzerland at the signing of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC on Monday 26 September 2016. This historic deal should bring an end to a conflict lasting several decades and claiming many victims. It also seeks to bring about lasting peace in this Latin American country.

At the invitation of Colombia, Yves Rossier, the State Secretary of the FDFA, will take part in the official ceremony for the signing of the peace accord in Cartagena next Monday. Various senior officials and figures will also attend, including many heads of state in the region.

The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) announced the conclusion of a peace deal, which should bring an end to a conflict that has lasted over 50 years, in August.

In recent months, the FDFA has congratulated the government and FARC delegations on the successful completion of the negotiations and expressed its hope that the implementation of the agreement results in a lasting and inclusive peace for all Colombians.

Switzerland has made a strong commitment to peacebuilding in Colombia, supporting the process in various fields, notably by providing experts to support the negotiations between the authorities and the FARC.

As well as directly supporting the negotiations by providing technical expertise that has contributed towards the adoption of a bilateral and definitive ceasefire, Switzerland runs three cooperation programmes in Colombia in the areas of humanitarian aid, human security (peace and human rights) and economic development. The Swiss Confederation is therefore able to provide a broad response to the various challenges relating to the peace process.

The Colombian government and the FARC have requested that an original copy of the final agreement be deposited with the Federal Council. The parties have thus underlined the importance of this document which is regarded as a special agreement within the framework of the Geneva Conventions. The Federal Council has accepted the request by the two parties. The depositing of the agreement does not involve any obligations for Switzerland regarding its implementation.


Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA



Publisher

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html

https://www.admin.ch/content/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-63862.html