Colombia: Referendum on peace agreement with FARC and reactions from the European Union

Following the signing a peace agreement between Colombia's government and the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) on 26 September 2016, the European Union decided on 27 September 2016 to suspend the application of the restrictive measures against the group.

A referendum was held on 2 October 2016 regarding the validity of the peace agreement. To the shock of many voters narrowly voted against the peace agreement. Critics of the deal said it treated the FARC, which the US still considered a terrorist group, too leniently. The EU's High Representative said 'The European Union respects the sovereign choice of the Colombian people. It is now for all sides in Colombia to unite and find the path that can lead the country to peace'.

On 5 October 2016, the European Union decided to suspend a development fund earmarked for Colombia, following the rejection of the peace agreement.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the announcement of an agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP on a definitive and final peace agreement http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-the-high-representative-vice-president-federica-mogherini-on-the-announcement-of-an-agreement-between-the-government-of-colombia-and-the-farc-ep-on-a-definitive-and-final-peace-agreement/

EU: EEAS: Statement, 26.09.16: Statement by the HR/VP on the occasion of the signing of the Peace Agreement between the government of Colombia and the FARC in Cartagena de Indias http://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/10489/statement-by-the-hrvp-on-the-occasion-of-the-signing-of-the-peace-agreement-between-the-government-of-colombia-and-the-farc-in-cartagena-de-indias_en

Politico, 27.09.16: EU suspends FARC sanctions http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-suspends-farc-sanctions-peace-agreement-with-the-colombian-government/

Deutsche Welle, 26.09.16: EU suspends FARC from terror list, while US prefers more cautious approach http://dw.com/p/2QcRV

BBC News, 27.09.16: Colombia peace deal: Historic agreement is signed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37477202

France24, 27.09.16: Colombia, FARC rebels sign historic peace accord http://www.france24.com/en/20160927-colombia-farc-rebels-sign-historic-peace-accord

European Parliament: Press Release, 27.09.16: European Parliament delegation to monitor Colombia’s peace deal referendum http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160927IPR44273/

EP: EPRS: Briefing, September 2016: Decisive step for Colombian peace agreement. Implementation presents huge challenges http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/589804/EPRS_BRI(2016)589804_EN.pdf

BBC News, 03.10.16: Colombia referendum: Voters reject Farc peace deal http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37537252

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 03.10.16: High Representative Mogherini on the outcome of the referendum on the Peace Agreement in Colombia http://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/10985/high-representative-mogherini-on-the-outcome-of-the-referendum-on-the-peace-agreement-in-colombia_en

The Conversation, 03.10.16: Why Colombia voted ‘no’ to peace with FARC https://theconversation.com/why-colombia-voted-no-to-peace-with-farc-66416

Euro|Topics: Debates, October 2016: No to reconciliation in Colombia http://www.eurotopics.net/en/167158/no-to-reconciliation-in-colombia

EurActiv, 04.10.16: Colombia peace deal in tatters, EU stance on FARC group unclear http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/colombia-peace-deal-in-tatters-eu-stance-on-farc-group-unclear/

European Parliament: Press Release, 05.10.16: Colombia: plebiscite result is disappointing but peace is irreversible, say MEPs http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160930IPR44585/

The Conversation, 04.10.16: Colombia did not vote ‘no’ in its peace referendum – what the statistics reveal https://theconversation.com/colombia-did-not-vote-no-in-its-peace-referendum-what-the-statistics-reveal-66471

EurActiv, 06.10.16: EU suspends Colombia fund after shock vote http://www.euractiv.com/section/development-policy/news/eu-suspends-colombia-fund-after-shock-vote/

EP: EPRS: Briefing, October 2016: The Colombian people say no to the peace agreement - But hopes for a solution remain http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/589827/EPRS_BRI(2016)589827_EN.pdf

EU: EEAS: Statement, 07.10.16: Statement by the Spokesperson on the joint statement issued by the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP http://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/11451/statement-by-the-spokesperson-on-the-joint-statement-issued-by-the-government-of-colombia-and-the-farc-ep_en

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