Minister of International Development Erik Solheim succeeded this week in getting the Sri Lankan authorities and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) to agree to meet for talks on the implementation of the cease-fire. The cease-fire, which was concluded in 2002, has recently been under strong pressure because of the sharp increase in violence in recent months. The meeting between the parties, which is scheduled to take place in Geneva in mid-February, is a small, but extremely important, step towards bringing the peace process onto a new track. Since the negotiations broke down in 2003, the parties have not come together for direct talks.