Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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412. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will urge all parties in Colombia to get back to the peace talks in view of the fact that substantial progress has been made over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45148/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am following developments in Colombia’s peace process closely and with some concern. Together with my EU colleagues, I welcome progress made to date in the peace talks in Havana. I earnestly hope that the parties to the talks will be in a position to agree a resumption to the talks at an early stage and will proceed thereafter to a comprehensive peace agreement.

Recent developments have caused concern for everybody who supports the peace process. The negotiating round due to begin in Havana on 18 November was delayed following the abduction by the FARC of a Colombian army general and accompanying staff two days earlier. At the time of writing, it is reported that the Norwegian and Cuban guarantors of the talks have announced that the Colombian government and the FARC have reached agreement on terms for the release of the group. President Santos has indicated that the talks will resume as soon as they are freed. I fully support calls urging the FARC to release the hostages without delay so that talks may resume as soon as possible.

Thus far, provisional agreement has been achieved by the parties to the negotiations on a number of areas. These are the agenda items relating to land reform and rural development, political participation and illicit drugs. Issues relating to victims of the conflict are due to be discussed in future rounds of negotiations.

Other recent developments include encouraging signs that the ELN, the other major guerrilla grouping, is willing to enter into a parallel peace process with the government side.

President Santos visited Europe earlier this month to canvass for international support for the peace process. At their meeting in Brussels, European Council President von Rompuy assured President Santos of the continued support of the European Union for a negotiated settlement and offered concrete assistance once a deal has been negotiated.

Ireland will continue to follow closely developments in the peace process and to work with the international community to support a negotiated solution to the conflict. As indicated previously, Ireland is ready to assist based on the experiences and lessons of our own peace process.