27/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, in a press release, the EU Council presidency condemned the shell attack by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) on a diplomatic delegation visiting the Batticaloa region in the east of the country by invitation of the Sri Lankan government. The EU states its “concerns about the current developments in Sri Lanka … and urges both sides to stop the violence immediately and to return to the negotiating table without delay in order to find a viable solution to the conflict on the basis of constructive proposals”. The presidency stresses the EU's readiness to continue to support the peace process in Sri Lanka within the framework of the so-called “Tokyo Co-Chairs”. The group targeted by the shell fire was made up of ambassadors from Italy, Japan, France, the United States and Germany, as well as several representatives of the United Nations and the Sri Lankan government. The Italian ambassador was injured in the attack and is currently receiving treatment. (ol)