Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at UNSC briefing on Colombia
Mme.President,
We welcome the participation of Alvaro Leyva Duran, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, in today’s consultations. We thank Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, for his insights. We also followed the remarks by civil society representative, Ms. Diana Salcedo López.
Russia welcomes the agreements that have been made in Cuba regarding a six-month ceasefire between the government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army. This agreement signified a crucial step towards achieving a comprehensive peace in Colombia. My country has consistently advocated for a dialogue with that group, even when the previous Colombian administration completely ignored such calls and unprecedented pressure was exerted on the guarantors of the peace process.
We note the role of Havana, which faithfully fulfilled its obligations as guarantor and played an important role in establishing contacts between the parties. In this connection, it is quite telling that the United States added Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism precisely because of its principled mediator efforts. Here, as they say, there is no need for comment. No comments needed, as the saying goes.
We believe the request from the heads of delegations of the Colombian government and the NLA to expand the mandate of UNVMC to include in it verification and monitoring of the parties' compliance with the bilateral ceasefire agreement can be accommodated. We are ready to consider the possibility of involving the UNVMC in the verification of agreements with other groups, once they are made. In that context, we commend the efforts of the Colombian authorities to have dialogue with the Central General Staff group. We note the joint statement by the parties where they claim ready to take to the negotiating table.
Mme.President,
Certain shift of focus towards new negotiations format in Colombia should not overshadow the key task, which the Security Council is called to monitor, which is the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement. We are convinced that only a comprehensive observance of its provisions will make it possible to win the trust of the new participants of the peace process.
We recognize Bogotá's conscientious efforts in this area, in particular the progress of the crop reform. At the same time, such tasks as ensuring safety of former rebels, community leaders and the most vulnerable segments of the population; implementing crop substitution programs; and strengthening state authority on the ground obviously require greater efforts. We look forward to the implementation of decisions of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, which will also be monitored by UNVMC representatives.
We are concerned about the remaining high level of violence against former combatants. Lately, there have been several high-profile cases of murders and attacks on former FARC members, including for their political activities. Social and economic integration of former rebels is impossible unless they are given security guarantees. We trust that the situation will improve significantly in the run-up to the regional and local elections in October this year.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia will continue to participate actively in international efforts to assist the Colombian peace process, i.s. by supporting the work of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia under the leadership of Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu.
Thank you.
