Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova on the beginning of talks between the Colombian Government and the National Liberation Army (ELN)

We welcome the beginning of a negotiating process between the Colombian Government and the National Liberation Army in Quito (Ecuador).  This is an important step on the way to universal peace and stability in Colombia and Latin America as a whole. We hope that a constructive, mutually respectful and flexible dialogue between the parties will allow them to reach a peace agreement in the near future.

Russia is ready to continue providing Colombia with the necessary support for a peaceful settlement of its 50-year-old internal armed conflict.

We confirm our intention to expand our bilateral ties taking into account the needs of Colombia’s post-conflict development.