Bogota, July 21 (Xinhua-RHC) -- Colombia celebrated its 204th anniversary of independence on Sunday. Addressing the national celebration in Bogota, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos reaffirmed he will continue seeking a peace agreement to end a 50-year-old Colombian armed conflict in the country.

He also spoke highly of the performance of the Colombian national soccer team in 2014 World Cup, saying the team was an example of what Colombians can achieve.

In his speech, Santos said that Colombia is facing the transformation of its economy, which is increasingly dynamic and has lifted more than two million Colombians out of poverty since 2010.

The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group are currently holding peace talks aimed at ending the long-lasting armed conflict.

A military parade with the participation of 12,000 soldiers was held at the end of the Mass of Thanksgiving in Bogota's Cathedral.