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EU launches trust fund for Colombia to recover from chronic conflict

Xinhua, December 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Union (EU) on Monday launched a trust fund worth 95 million euros (101 million U.S. dollars) to support Colombia's peace process after decades of armed conflict.

The Constitutive Agreement of the EU Trust Fund for Colombia was signed in Brussels by EU officials. The signing took place in presence of EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos.

"We have accompanied Colombia since the very start of the peace process in 2012 -- the same year in which the European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize," Mogherini said at the signing ceremony.

"Peace is the cornerstone of the European project and we remain committed to supporting all Colombian people in their efforts to achieve stable and lasting peace in the country," she added.

The Commission in a statement stressed that priority will be given to Colombia's rural areas, which have been disproportionately affected by the violent conflict and have suffered from illegal activities and violence.

"We strongly believe that through this joint EU action, we will support Colombia in overcoming the legacy of the internal conflict," said Neven Mimica, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development.

The Colombian government and the country's largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), in September signed a peace agreement to end a conflict that has lasted for more than half a century and left 260,000 dead, and millions displaced.

However, a plebiscite on Oct. 2 narrowly rejected the agreement, which took four years to negotiate.

A revised peace agreement was signed on Nov. 24 by Santos and Rodrigo Londono, the leader of FARC.

Later on Nov. 30, the deal was adopted by the Colombia's Congress. Unlike the previous agreement, this new deal is subject to congressional approval rather than a public vote.

Within 90 days after the approval, the FARC will begin to lay down arms. And within five months, all the weapons of the FARC will be handed to the UN.

Santos won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 7 for his "resolute efforts" to end the chronic civil war. Endit