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Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - 09.15 GMT |
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Sri Lanka urges EU to act against LTTE front
organizations |
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Sri Lanka urged the visiting EU- Troika Delegation
to enact enabling legislation and take similar
action against front organizations of the LTTE,
operating in their territories under the guise of
charities, social welfare and cultural associations.
The six member delegation was headed by Ambassador
Janez Premoze Director for Asia, Africa and Pacific
in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia
representing the current EU Presidency, Mr. Didier
Leroy, Head of the South Asian Division in the
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of France,
representing the incoming EU Presidency and Mr.
James Moran, Director for Asia, External Relations
Directorate representing the European Commission.
Sri Lanka welcomed the EU's policy on counter
terrorism and the listing of the LTTE as a terrorist
organization by the EU in 2006 and subsequent
criminal prosecutions against LTTE fund-raising in
some EU Member States.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who met the
delegation on Tuesday March 18 expressed the hope
that the visit would pave the way for a constructive
engagement with the EU leading to the 17th Session
of the EC-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting
scheduled to be held in June 2008, in Colombo.
The Sri Lanka delegation briefed the Troika on the
work of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC)
towards achieving a lasting political settlement to
the current conflict. This is an evolving process
which would lead to greater devolution of power to
the provinces.
The action taken by the Government to re-establish
the democratic process and civil administration in
the Eastern Province, after the successful military
operations to clear the Province of the LTTE last
year, was elaborated.
The Foreign Minister solicited EU support and
assistance for the ambitious economic and social
development programme that has been launched by the
Government in the province, which would enable the
local population to enjoy the peace dividend, after
many years of living under LTTE oppression.
Both sides agreed that the review of the GSP+ scheme
in the upcoming months will be pursued through a
meaningful and constructive dialogue, reflecting the
spirit of the 35 year old cooperation between the EU
and Sri Lanka.
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