Brussels, 05/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 27 February, the Presidency made a statement in which the EU welcomes "the signature of the formal cease-fire agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), as announced on February 22 by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, agreement that is a first step towards ending the armed conflict that the people of Sri Lanka have been suffering for 19 years." "The EU trusts that the cease-fire agreement will shortly be followed by measures aimed at national reconciliation and, in particular, at allowing the reunion of the many relatives separated by the conflict and the further improvement of security conditions across the whole country for the benefit of the civil population." The EU calls on the parties to seize "this historic opportunity" to undertake with "determination and in good faith a process of constructive dialogue leading to a lasting peace in their country." (The full text: http: //ue.eu.int/Newsroom)