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| Wednesday, 10 November 2004 |
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The European Commission and the Government of Sri Lanka agreed to expand aid support, now nearing Euro 100 million, in line with Tokyo principles. The parties set clear targets for expanding future cooperation, including in security and other areas, such as expanded student exchanges. The Commission and the Government discussed on the peace process and agreed that the two parties in the conflict should resume peace talks without delay. The two parties met in Brussels on October 29 for the sixteenth meeting of their Joint Commission to examine progress made in EC-Sri Lanka cooperation since the last meeting in 2001 and agreed priorities for the coming period. The Joint Commission was co-chaired by Herve Jouanjean, Deputy Director General for External Relations in the European Commission and H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of Sri Lanka in the presence of representatives of the Member States of the European Union. Both sides welcomed that the ceasefire is holding overall but regretted the recent deplorable violations. The EC reiterated serious concern and disappointment about the continued suspension of the peace talks, as indicated in the EU Troika statement of August 16. The EC urged the two parties in the conflict to resume peace talks without delay impressing the importance of continuing to work towards identifying an agenda that would enable the early resumption of negotiations. The partners who exchanged views on good governance, human rights issues agreed the importance of the full implementation of Human Rights Conventions. The Sri Lankan side briefed the EC on the implementation of the recommendations made in the final report of the EU Election Observation Mission to Sri Lanka in April 2004. The GoSL outlined its interest in developing new areas of dialogue with the EU including in relation to international cooperation in law enforcement. The EC welcomed this overture and committed to take this forward with the member states. The EC outlined progress on the implementation of its development assistance to Sri Lanka. This aid amounts to Euro 88.2 million to the end of 2005. The EC indicated that a further Euro 12.5 million will be released for 2006, in keeping with the principles set in Tokyo. Both sides agreed that the funds should be focused on the development of rural economy in the North and East (with particular emphasis on returning displaced persons and refugees and integrated development of coastal zones) as well as in the needy areas of the south and on support to improving good governance. The GoSL thanked the EC for its continued assistance to Sri Lanka, including humanitarian and relief support to the North and East. A further window of opportunity is opening up with its postgraduate Erasmus Mundus programme for Sri Lankan and other Asian universities. The two sides also exchanged views on their cooperation in civil aviation and agreed to continue their discussions further. The EC and GoSL agreed to meet again as scheduled in early 2006 in Sri Lanka and to review progress on the above targets for deepening their already useful and extensive cooperation. |
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