Statement by Chargé d'Affaires of the Russian Federation Dmitry Polyanskiy at UNSC briefing on activities of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia
Mr.President,
We welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Ms Marta Lucia Ramirez, and the President of Colombia's Truth Commission, Mr Francisco José de Roux Rengifo to this meeting. We take note of the remarks by Ms Jineth Casso Piamba. We thank Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu for briefing us on the situation in the country and sharing his assessments.
Colleagues,
At the previous meeting, when drawing conclusions of the five-year period that had passed since the adoption of the Final Peace Agreement, we had certain reservations. However, today we are inclined to hope for positive prospects of this milestone historic document.
The recent elections demonstrated that millions of Colombians representing varying political groups realize that a sustainable peace process is absolutely crucial. This is best confirmed by the fact that after elections, a political force came to power that called to put an end to a years-long confrontation that had caused numerous losses and tragedies.
We repeat tirelessly that the Peace Agreement not only terminated an internal armed conflict that had lasted for half a century, but also granted support of the international community, embodied in the UN Security Council, to the Colombian settlement process.
By all means, the government still has to take lots of efforts to uphold its obligations. Issues that have been traditionally regarded as problematic are the agricultural reform, crop substitution, safety of civilians, as well as political, economic, and legal reintegration of peace process participants.
We hope that Colombian government will start treating them exactly as peace process participants rather than “former combatants”. From one report to another, Security Council members read repetitive calls on members of the Colombian community to overcome stigmatization, historical contradictions, and learn to look ahead to their common future. We believe this change of attitude to peace process participants is long overdue.
Colombia’s Truth Commission also helps get over the country's hard legacy. On 28 June, the Commission issued a comprehensive report, which we can only welcome. This was yet another manifestation of Colombian society’s commitment to reconciliation. The report confirmed that the Final Peace Agreement remains feasible and retains its relevance despite attempts of the recent four years to torpedo its implementation.
Mr.President,
We agree with the conclusions of the Secretary-General that the election of Gustavo Petro as President and Francia Marques as first Afro-Colombian Vice President gives hope that the government will give a new impetus to implementing its obligations under the FPA. We hear some encouraging statements to that end and look forward to changes for the better.
Russia is firmly committed to bringing our friendly Colombia back to peaceful life. In this context, we welcomed the mutual readiness of both President of Colombia and leadership of the ‘National Liberation Army’ to start negotiations without any preconditions or knowingly unrealistic demands that have been impeding such prospects until now. We hope that the change of the governing team will enable forces that have remained outside the peacebuilding process now become part of it. In every our statement, we repeat that true peace in Colombia is not possible unless there is all major stakeholders arrive at a consensus.
What is no less important is Colombia’s relations with its neighbors. We hope that the government of Gustavo Petro will demonstrate political wisdom and consider possibilities of recovering relations with Venezuela, beginning with issues of border security. This would deliver a heavy blow on criminal activities and safeguard against any possible incidents or provocations with dangerous implications.
As a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia will keep supporting the Colombian peace process in order to make it sustainable and irreversible. We express our complete support for the UN Verification Mission in Colombia under the lead of Carlos Ruiz Massieu, and also to the guarantors of the Peace Agreement, Cuba and Norway.
Thank you.
