Schulz on the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC

“After more than half a century of conflict, hundreds of thousands of casualties, tens of thousands of missing people and millions of internally displaced persons, peace is at last coming to Colombia.

Generations of Colombians had been waiting for this moment and many thought it would never come. Today rewards those who, through perseverance and courage, never stopped believing in peace. It is now for the Colombian people to decide whether to endorse this accord.

Colombian citizens now have the tangible prospect of a life which is safer, for them and for their children; where opportunity, education, rights and duties reach peoples and regions which had so far been cut off from Colombia’s economic and social development.

It was humbling to be in Colombia only a few hours before the peace agreement was signed, to speak with the political players involved in the agreement, with President Santos and also with those who oppose this peace agreement. There was a strong sense of excitement. Everyone felt that a new page of a fresh chapter in Colombia’s history is being written.

It is on all of us to ensure that this agreement delivers sustainable peace, through reconciliation and upholding the rights of the victims. The European Union will be at Colombia’s side on this path.

I would like to reiterate our gratitude to all those who helped forge this agreement: the Colombian negotiating parties, the Cuban and Norwegian governments, Colombia’s neighbours and also the EU i special envoy for the Colombian Peace Process, Eamon Gilmore.”