China welcomes Security Council resolution on Colombia

UNITED NATIONS - A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Thursday welcomed the adoption of a Security Council resolution on Colombia and commended parties in Colombia for their peace efforts.

China welcomes the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2381, which expands the mandate of the newly established UN Verification Mission in Colombia to also monitor a temporary cease-fire agreement between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), said Wu Haitao, charge d'affaires of the Chinese mission to the United Nations.

The original mandate of the Verification Mission in Colombia covered only the government's peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country's largest rebel group.

The temporary cease-fire agreement between the Colombian government and the ELN is a major progress in the Colombian peace process, said the Chinese envoy. China extends congratulations over the achievement and commends all concerned parties in Colombia for their peace efforts, he said.

Since the government reached a cease-fire agreement and a peace deal with FARC last year, the peace process in the country continued to witness new progress, resulting in positive momentum, said Wu. The cease-fire agreement with the ELN, which entered into force on Sunday, provided favorable conditions for the early realization of comprehensive and sustainable peace and stability in Colombia, he said.

With Resolution 2381, the Verification Mission in Colombia will oversee the cease-fire between the government and the ELN, he said. China hopes the UN Secretariat will get the preparation work done as soon as possible so that the Verification Mission can carry out its extended mandate.

"We also hope that the Verification Mission, on the basis of respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Colombia, will ensure the comprehensive implementation of the mandate by strengthening communication with the Colombian government and conducting good internal coordination work so as to provide constructive help for the greater outcome of the Colombian peace process," said Wu.

The Security Council in July approved the establishment of the Verification Mission in Colombia to verify the political, economic and social reintegration of former FARC combatants as well as security guarantees. On Sept 14, it further approved the recommendations of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres concerning the size, operational aspects and mandate of the mission, including the deployment of 120 unarmed, non-uniformed international observers. The mission started operations on Sept 26.