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Storage of Colombian peace deal in Switzerland welcomed by authorities

Xinhua, May 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Swiss authorities saluted on Thursday the decision taken by the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to deposit in Switzerland the final peace treaty which aims to put an end to the 52-year conflict.

"The joint statement stipulates that the final peace agreement on ending the conflict and building sustainable, long lasting peace in Colombia should immediately be transferred for storage to the Swiss Federal Council once it has been signed," the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) explained in a statement.

"This is a sign that the parties recognise and want to emphasise the significance of the peace deal as a special humanitarian agreement under the Geneva Conventions," it added.

The FDFA has provided specialised assistance to the negotiation process seeking to broker an end to the conflict pitching the Colombian government against FARC rebels.

Starting around 1964, protracted fighting has caused the deaths of some 220,000 people. An additional 45,000 individuals have gone missing while 7 million have been internally displaced. Endit