Santos, in fact, has consistently stated that a reduction in military operations against the FARC would only take place in the event of a final agreement being reached, and the FARCs themselves, by issuing their own press release, declared their willingness to discuss the negotiations accordingly.
It is from 20 December of the 2014, in fact, that a unilateral "cease-fire" started by the latter, which was largely respected.
A "general agreement" to end the conflict and build a stable and lasting peace was already signed in 2012 in La Habana, Cuba.
These negotiations were attended by the government of the Republic of Cuba and the government of Norway as guarantors and with the support of the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, with the joint decision to end the conflict, as an essential condition for the construction of a stable peace and lasting by recognizing that:
building peace is a question that concerns society as a whole, which requires the participation of all, without distinction;
respect for human rights is an objective to be promoted;
economic development together with social justice and harmony with the environment is a guarantee of peace and progress;
social development with equity and well-being, which allowed the country to grow;
a peaceful and sovereign Colombia will have an active role in peace and regional and global development;
it is important to expand democracy as a condition for strong foundations of peace (ed, Acuerdo General para la terminación del conflicto y la construcción de una paz estable y duradera)
It should be remembered, in this peace process for the country, the role of Europe which, although geographically distant, is close in supporting and promoting cooperation.
Santos, who was in Paris on an official visit last week, said in a brief statement to the press that the French Gendarmerie, for example, appears to be a model for Colombia.
The president, speaking from the residence of the Colombian ambassador in Paris, thanked France that supported the peace process and for the initiatives taken in this regard by the European community.
We recall that Colombia is about to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Maria Grazia Labellarte
Sources: www.janes.com, www.fuerzasmilitares.org, Acuerdo General para la terminación del conflicto y la construcción de un paz estable y duradera
(photo: Colombian presidency)
