EU Commissioner lauds positive developments in East

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Karu Jayasuriya met EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner at the European Commission (EC) in Brussels.

The Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Belgium and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha while Joao Aguiar Machado, DDG/External Relations (Asia and Latin America) of the EC who led the EC team to the recent Sri Lanka-EC Joint Commission was associated with Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

Minister Jayasuriya briefed the European Commissioner on the current developments in Sri Lanka, especially in relation to the restoration of normality and establishing civil administration.

The Minister also highlighted the measures undertaken by the Government to carry out reforms suggested by the European Commission, including the Ministerial Committee appointed by President Rajapaksa to look into the concerns regarding the media.

The Minister stressed the importance of continuing the GSP+ benefit to Sri Lanka considering the impact it has on the socio-economic development of the country. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner expressed satisfaction with regard to the positive developments in the Eastern Province, but noted that more should to be done in terms of disarming the armed group and continuing the APRC process.

While acknowledging that the recent months had seen and improvement in the dialogue between the EU and Sri Lanka, the Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the EU to remain engaged in the developments in Sri Lanka.

Referring to the extension of the GSP+ facility she requested that Sri Lanka ensures full implementation of the 27 conventions, which is a pre-condition to receiving the GSP+ benefit.