International Development Minister Solheim to host meeting of Sri Lanka Co-Chairs

On 26 June, Norway will host a meeting of the Sri Lanka Co-Chairs, which will bring together representatives from the EU, Japan, the US and Norway to assess the current situation in the Sri Lankan peace process. Last time the Co-Chairs met was in Washington on 21 November 2006.  

“It will be a working meeting and follows several recent high-level visits to Sri Lanka,” said Minister of International Development Erik Solheim. “The purpose of the meeting is to share information and views. The Co-Chairs will explore ways and means in which the group, as a whole or as individual countries, can continue helping the parties to cease violence and return to the negotiating table,” said Mr Solheim.  

The US will be represented by Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher. Special Representative Yasushi Akashi will represent Japan. Director-General Andreas Michaelis will represent the EU Presidency and Acting Deputy Director-General James Morran will represent the European Commission. 

Norway does not intend to make any public statements after the Co-Chairs meeting.