EU Presidency Statement on Sri Lanka

FR - FI - SV

The Presidency of the European Union is gravely concerned about the ongoing violence in Sri Lanka which seriously puts the Ceasefire Agreement and the peace process at risk.

The Presidency urges the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to cease hostilities at once and to resume peace talks. The senseless violence will not resolve the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.

The Presidency reiterates the full support of the European Union to the peace process and to the important work of the Norwegian facilitator. The personnel of the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission must be supported and their security guaranteed at all times.

The Presidency is deeply concerned about the growing humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka and the suffering of innocent people. There are 130 000 refugees since April 7 in the conflict ridden areas, and the number is growing by day. The Presidency calls on both parties to guarantee free access for the relief agencies to the affected people.

In the light of the killing of the 17 aid workers in Muthur, the presidency expresses its concern about the working conditions of the NGOs in Sri Lanka, and calls on the government to support their valuable work.

| Arriba |

• EU Commissioners Ferrero-Waldner and Michel on attacks in Sri Lanka  (10/11/2006)
• Sri Lanka: European Commission provides €5 million for conflict victims and refugees in Tamil Nadu (25/10/2006)
• Sri Lanka: Declaration by EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner on latest developments  (3/8/2006)
• Sri Lanka: Commission provides €7 million in humanitarian aid for people displaced by the ongoing conflict (4/7/2006)
• EU Presidency Declaration on Sri Lankan government and LTTE to hold talks (27/1/2006)
• EU Presidency Declaration on situation in Sri Lanka  (23/1/2006)
• EU Presidency Declaration on situation in Sri Lanka (20/1/2006)