Brussels, 23/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 22 October, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton welcomed the visit of Colombian High Commissioner for Peace Sergio Jaramillo to Brussels the same day in order to provide “a first hand analysis” of the negotiations for peace between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Jaramillo met the deputy secretary general of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Helga Schmid, who assured him that the EU is ready to “assist the Colombian government, state institutions, civil society and international organisations in providing support for activities that promote peace, truth, justice, reparation and reconciliation”.
Ashton also warmly welcomed the launch of the negotiations, in Norway on 18 October, to put an end to the confrontation between the government and the FARC “which has stymied the development of the country and inflicted unspeakable suffering on the Colombian people”. “The FARC must seize this moment to take responsibility and prove its sincerity by ceasing its attacks and violations of international humanitarian law”, she added, recalling that the EU has “consistently” affirmed the government in its search for a negotiated solution to this conflict. (CG/transl.fl)