Negotiators of Colombia’s government and largest rebel group FARC said Saturday they have ended another round in peace talks aimed at ending the country’s half-a-century armed conflict.
In a joint statement, both parties announced that “after discussing and exchanging views, positions and proposals related to the second point of the Agenda for Talks on Political Participation, we started working on agreements on” political participation in general and particularly that of the FARC in the event the rebel group and state agree to end the conflict.
Government negotiator Humberto de la Calle told press negotiations with the rebel group “have never come this far” and are in the process of formulating made agreements on political participation.
“This isn’t just about guarantees. We discussed the political participation of the FARC because we hope that, at the signing of the pact, they lay down their weapons, demobilize and incorporate themselves in society,” De la Calle said.
The political participation is the second of five negotiation points that must successfully be concluded for both parties to sign a peace agreement. Both parties have already agreed on a rural reform and fail to discuss disarmament, victim reparation and the FARC’s involvement in drug trafficking before coming to the implementation of the pact.
MORE: Text of deal between Colombia’s government and rebel group FARC to end armed conflict
