Security Council highlights the cooperative work between the parties at the Zone of Normalization in the Department of Meta

5 May 2017

Security Council highlights the cooperative work between the parties at the Zone of Normalization in the Department of Meta

La Reforma, Meta, May 5, 2017. The 15 ambassadors from the UN Security Council, and the Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the UN Mission in Colombia have arrived at the Zone of Normalization (ZVTN acronyms in Spanish) La Reforma, in the department of Meta. The main objective of the visit is to see first-hand the implementation of the peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP.

The delegation of UN Security Council ambassadors will have meetings with Government representatives, FARC-EP and members of the Unite Nations Mission in Colombia that work in the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM) in this area of Colombia.

"On behalf of the Security Council, we thank you all of you for being here. You are the ones who transform dreams into reality. It got my attention to see people with the UN jackets and then the coffee jacket that are government and guerrilla component using the same colour and that further affirms the absolute confidence, certainty, that this process goes forward and has no return" affirmed the Uruguayan ambassador, Elbio Roselli, who is the  current President of the Security Council.

Colombian Foreign Minister María Ángela Holguín affirmed, "We hope with this visit the UN Security Council will have the possibility to see what is happening in the territory and thanks to you we have this political mission and the MVM," said Holguin.

"This region witnessed the conflict in Colombia. There was very strong fighting between the FARC-EP and the security forces, it was one of the most affected areas, "said the High Commissioner for Peace, Sergio Jaramillo. We know what peace means for this community and we hope the Security Council can talk to the people who are immersed in the conflict," Jaramillo told to the 15 ambassadors.

The FARC-EP leader, Iván Márquez, who also accompanies the visit, gave a "sincere, deep thanks" to the Security Council. "This area has been one of strong confrontation. I want to emphasize the respect and harmony between the components: the guerrillas, the police officers and the army that make perimeter security. To congratulate Jean Arnault for his handling of the local mechanisms and for General Álvaro Pico, who has played an important role with the men of UNIPEP. That they can feel what it is like to  live in the zones now with the communities. Thank you for helping us out of the dark night and the confrontation in Colombia. "

The Governor of Meta, Marcela Amaya, thanked the visit: "On behalf of the people of Meta thousand thanks for bringing us a message to strengthen us and continue to build a stable and lasting peace. The department of Meta lived the conflict and the result was 240 thousand victims. The Meta wants to end the conflict and start being a department of opportunities; wants to be the agricultural dispensary of Colombia and become a tourist spot, so I tell the world to no leave us alone. “The Governor added.

The Colombian Ambassador to the United Nations, María Emma Mejía, is also accompanying the 15 ambassadors. The visit from the UN Security Council to Colombia concludes tonight.​

 

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Photos of the Security Council visit to Zone of Normalization La Reforma, Meta

Audios of the Security Council visit to Colombia