Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has confirmed that his government is holding exploratory talks with the country's biggest rebel group.
Addressing the nation on state television, Mr Santos said that by talking to the rebels he was fulfilling his constitutional duty to seek peace, the BBC reports.
However, gave no details about the talks with the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).
The Farc has been fighting the Colombian government since 1964.
Mr Santos said the second biggest rebel group, the ELN, had also indicated a readiness to talk.
According to the regional media network Telesur, negotiators from the sides signed a preliminary agreement in the Cuban capital Havana on Monday.
Telesur said the first round of peace talks would be held in the Norwegian capital Oslo on 5 October and negotiators would then continue holding talks in Havana.
In August last year, the Farc leader at the time, Alfonso Cano, said the group was ready for peace negotiations.
Since then, rumours have circulated about secret meetings between government representatives and the rebels in Havana.