Havana, July 18 (RHC) –- Colombia’s Revolutionary Armed Forces-People’s Army (FARC-EP) and the Juan Manuel Santos administration considered and approved the way for direct participation at the peace talks by the victims of the Colombian armed conflict, according to a joint communiqué issued by the parties.

After a preparatory meeting that began July 12th prior to the next stage of talks in Havana, both delegations agreed that the testimonies of the victims will be crucial for discussions on the issue related to all those affected by the conflict.

At the request of the bargaining table, the organization and the process to select the delegation will be carried out by the United Nations Organization in Colombia, the Center for Thinking and Following up of the Peace Process at the National University of Colombia, in consultation with different victims’ associations. Also invited is the Episcopal Conference.

A delegation will be invited to each stage of talks, with at least five stages and each delegation will include up to 12 members.

The guerrilla and the government also agreed to set up a historic commission on the conflict and its victims and for this they will meet July 25th to keep preparing that commission.

Since the peace process opened in Havana in November 2012, the parties have reached accords related to the integral agrarian development, political participation, and the solution to illegal drugs.