Brussels, 26/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - The EU Troika Ministerial led by President of the Council Franco Frattini, and made up of Brian Cowen, Irish Foreign Minister, Javier Solana, High Representative of the EU for CFSP, Chris Patten, Commissioner for External Relations, met a government delegation from Sri Lanka, headed by its Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesingle in New York on Thursday, at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Sri Lankan Prime Minister was keen to point out the commitment made by his government to the ongoing peace process. He also underlined the fact that his government had taken into account the moves made by the rebel Tamil Tiger EELAM liberation movement on the need for an effective mechanism for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the north and east of the country. With this in mind, the government has developed proposals for an interim administration, he added. President Frattini, speaking on behalf of the Presidency of the EU Troika, pointed out the commitment of the European Union in playing a role in Sri Lanka, in partnership with the co-Presidents of the Conference of Tokyo and, in particular, in view of Norway's role of facilitator. The EU is hoping that the results of the process of the internal consultation with EELAM on the government's proposals for an interim administration will allow peace negotiations to start rapidly up again so that the beneficiaries of peace come from the whole population of the country. The EU is encouraging the two countries to strictly adhere to the provisions of the cease-fire agreement and agree to the monitoring mission rule in Sri Lanka. Pointing out that assistance from the international community is linked to progress in the peace process, the EU gave assurances that it would continue to monitor these processes closely in order to reach a lasting and fair political solution based on respect for human rights, democracy and the State of Law by ensuring security for all the country's population. The Troika has also encouraged the country to continue economic reforms, which will help national reconciliation and called on the international community to participate in the development of the country as a whole and subsequently, in the south of the country. The Troika noted that Commissioner Patten would be prepared to go to the country, at the request of the Sri Lankan authorities, during the Italian Presidency to demonstrate that the EU supported Sri Lanka in obtaining peace.