Norway has offered Colombia its services to initiate eventual peace talks expected to take place between the government and Colombia’s second largest rebel group ELN, said President Juan Manuel Santos Thursday.
Santos revealed the offer came directly from Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg at a meeting during a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
The president expressed enthusiasm, saying it “would be very helpful.”
He added, “obviously, we will have to discuss with the counterpart,” but he thought Norway’s experience would come in use, “Norway’s experience is very important because they already know how to manage these sorts of processes.”
Uruguay President Jose Mujica has already offered his country as a host to peace talks with the ELN.
More: Uruguay President Jose Mujica takes active role in Colombia’s peace talks
Since November of last year, the Colombian government has been engaged in peace talks with Colombia’s largest guerrilla group, the FARC, in Havana, Cuba, which have garnered international praise and support.
Sources
- Noruega ofreció buenos oficios para diálogo con ELN (El Espactador)
- Noruega ofrece apoyo a eventual proceso de paz con el ELN (RNC Radio)