Colombia opens peace talks with last active rebels, the ELN February 8, 2017 - 12:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Members of Colombia's ELN left-wing rebel group and government negotiators have begun talks seeking to end more than five decades of conflict, BBC News reports. The negotiations were launched at a ceremony in the capital of Ecuador, Quito, where the talks will be held. Delegates stood side by side as the Colombian national anthem was played. The talks come just months after the government signed a peace agreement with Colombia's largest rebel group, the Farc. The chief ELN negotiator, Pablo Beltran, urged both sides to rally around the points that united them and leave aside their differences. The top government representative, Juan Camilo Restrepo, said he expected to draw from the lessons of the negotiations with the Farc to reach a peace accord with the ELN. They both agreed that this was a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Colombia to achieve peace. "Colombia and the world realise that it's very unlikely that this opportunity for peace will come before us again," said Mr Restrepo. He called on the rebels to officially suspend its kidnapping policy during the negotiations. The ELN relies on the ransom obtained from kidnappings or "retentions" to finance their activities.  Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Armenian cemetery in Fresno hit by arsons six times since January  Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance.Iran vows to “decisively” defend sovereignty, national interests The Iranian embassy in Armenia has defended its “defensive and proportional action in in occupied Palestine.”Armenian shooter Elmira Karapetyan Armenian shooter Elmira Karapetyan won gold at the ISSF World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Rio de Janiero.Britain said to have entered talks to deport migrants to Armenia Britain is said to have entered talks to replicate the Rwanda migrant deportation scheme with Armenia. |
