CO-CHAIRS' WELCOME TALKS BETWEEN GOSL AND LTTE

The European Union and the Governments of Japan, Norway and the United States, the Co-Chairs, welcome the February 22- 23 discussions between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Geneva as an opportunity to restore confidence in the Ceasefire Agreement and move forward towards a peaceful future.

We urge parties to approach the opportunity with an open and flexible attitude. We also welcome the decreased violence since the January 25 announcement of the talks as a sign that the parties take seriously and fully respect their commitments under the Ceasefire Agreement.

The Co-Chairs commend the invaluable assistance provided by the Government of Norway in its continued role as facilitator. We stand ready to assist Norway in its efforts to bring about a durable peace in Sri Lanka.

21 February 2006