EU reaffirms its support to peace process

BRUSSELS: Commissioner of External Relations of the European Commission Benita Ferrero-Waldner reaffirmed the support of the European Union to the Sri Lankan Government and expressed hope that the present peace talks would pave way to reach a lasting solution to the conflict.

Commissioner Waldner expressed her views on the current Sri Lankan situation when she met Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Monday in Brussels for official talks.

Minister Samaraweera briefed Commissioner Waldner on the Government's peace efforts and related matters. Commissioner Waldner said the European Union was closely following the progress of the developments with regard to resumption of negotiations with the LTTE. She reaffirmed the support of the European Union to the Government and expressed hope that the talks will pave way to reach a lasting solution to the conflict.

The Minister thanked the EU for the assistance extended in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster and briefed on the measures introduced by the Government for effective coordination and implementation of reconstruction work, including the establishment of the Reconstruction and Development Authority (RADA).

Earlier in the day Minister Samaraweera addressed the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament. He stressed the need to ensure democratic freedom for every citizen in Sri Lanka and briefed the members of the Committee on steps taken by the Government to obtain the consent and support of all political parties prior to Geneva Talks and thereafter.

Emphasising that the Government remains committed to a political solution through negotiations, Minister Samaraweera highlighted the delicate nature of the process and called on the international community to be sensitive to the nuances and complexities of the Sri Lankan political landscape.

The Minister was accompanied by Additional Foreign Secretary Geetha de Silva, Ambassador-designate to the European Commission K. J. Weerasinghe, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Kshenuka Senewiratne and other senior officials.