Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-11-20-Speech-4-158"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20031120.7.4-158"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
". – I should like to thank Mr Cushnahan for raising this issue, together with other Members of this House who clearly take a close and committed interest in Sri Lankan affairs.
The Commission has closely followed developments in Sri Lanka and is greatly concerned by the grave setback inflicted on the peace process by recent events, including the deployment of troops in the capital and the decision to bring the cabinet portfolios of defence, interior, and communications under the remit of the President.
The Council presidency and the Commission have issued a joint statement with Norway, the United States and Japan expressing our common concern that recent developments in Sri Lanka may jeopardise the spirit of cohabitation between the President and the government, which has proved vital to efforts to sustain the momentum of the peace process.
The presidency and the Commission urged the two principal parties to continue to work together in support of a negotiated political solution to the longstanding conflict.
Commissioner Patten has repeatedly contacted the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe by telephone encouraging him to find a way to return to constructive and functional co-habitation with President Kumaratunga. The Commission will continue its efforts motivated by the hope that the tension can be reduced. The Commission is closely coordinating any action with Norway, as facilitator of the peace process, and with other co-chair countries. Naturally, the Commission remains in daily contact with its delegation in Colombo in order to keep abreast of all developments.
Commissioner Patten will visit Sri Lanka on 25 and 26 November 2003 as planned. The visit will allow him to get a first-hand impression of the situation and discuss the significant issues with all relevant parties, and he will again be seeking to impress and reinforce the views of the Commission
and indeed this House
which have already been transmitted to all parties in Sri Lanka.
The Commission is working in a coordinated manner with the Council. We welcome a resolution by this Parliament that encourages the Sri Lankan President and Government to return to the co-habitation that had prevailed since the last general election in Sri Lanka.
Mrs De Keyser talked of the hope for an incipient restoration of normal relations. This is a hope that we share and are seeking to reinforce."@en1
|
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples