Canada announces additional support for peace implementation in Colombia
News Release
September 26, 2016 - Cartagena, Colombia - Global Affairs Canada
Canada is proud to support Colombia’s efforts to bring the longest-running conflict in the Western Hemisphere to a peaceful end. The agreement signed today in Colombia demonstrates the effectiveness and importance of negotiation, diplomacy, justice and institutional reform, hallmarks of Canada’s support of the Colombian people and government.
While in Cartagena, Colombia, attending the signing of the historic peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced further support for Colombia’s peace.
Following a meeting today with María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, Colombia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Dion announced $21 million in additional Canadian support for peace implementation in Colombia. This builds on the July 2016 announcement by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, of $57.4 million in development assistance initiatives to help conflict-affected populations.
The contribution announced today includes support for police reform, landmine clearance, human rights protection for conflict-affected communities, reintegration of former combatants, transitional justice and electoral observation during the October 2 national plebiscite.
Minister Dion also reiterated Canada’s support for the United Nations political mission in Colombia, which will monitor the ceasefire and the demobilization of FARC.
Quotes
“It is an honour to be a witness to this historic achievement. We congratulate Colombia on reaching such an important milestone for all Colombians. The implementation of the peace agreement will take effort, will and resources but doing so presents the very real prospect, perhaps for the first time, that the entire Western Hemisphere could be free of violent conflict.
“Colombia can continue to count on Canada’s support.”
- Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
- Colombia has been a development country of focus since 2009.
- Canada currently provides approximately $40 million in international assistance annually to Colombia, including funding to support peace and stability. On July 5, 2016, Minister Bibeau announced $57.4 million in development assistance programming to support peace implementation and help those affected by the conflict in Colombia.
Related products
Associated links
- The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program
- Path to Peace: Canada’s peace, security and development work in Colombia
- Canada supports peace process in Colombia and helps those affected by conflict
- Address by Minister Bibeau announcing Canadian funding for development projects in Colombia
- Canada-Colombia relations
- Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Contacts
Chantal Gagnon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
chantal.gagnon@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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