It noted that the human rights situation could have an impact in the reapplying process.

The application process, which had not yet started, would be based on an objective assessment, it confirmed.

The linkage between trade preferences and human rights is clearly spelled out in the legal provisions of the agreement, EU said in a statement.

A delegation of senior officials from the European Union (EU) visited Sri Lanka from 16-18 March 2008, to discuss EU concerns at the current situation in the country.

“The EU and Sri Lanka have deep, long-standing relations, covering economic, and trade, political and cultural matters. The EU is committed to maintaining these, and welcomes the opportunity provided by this visit for open and frank discussions,” EU said in a statement.

The EU says it welcomes the interim proposal from the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) and looks forward to an ambitious final proposal in the coming months.

“Following local elections in Batticaloa district on 10 March, key issues have been identified concerning the provision of proper electoral conditions, including the disarmament of paramilitaries. The EU sees effective action on this as key to ensuring free and fair voting at the provincial elections scheduled for May”, EU said in the statement.

Terrorist groups condemned

It said the EU has an active, well defined policy on counter-terrorism which underlies the EU’s unequivocal condemnation of all terrorist activities, including those by the LTTE.

The EU said that it noted with concern that the Independent International Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) has decided to terminate its work with the Presidential Commission of Inquiry because, in the IIGEP’s view, the Commission of Inquiry does not meet international standards.

IIGEP decision

The EU remains of the belief that the IIGEP, which includes four Eminent Persons from Asia, has performed its functions with professionalism and impartiality, the statement said.

The EU recognised Sri Lanka’s sovereign right to decide its own approaches but underlined the seriousness of the IIGEP and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights decisions.

They calls on government to deliver concrete results through taking cases to court, the need to consider their recommendations seriously and to have effective and independent human rights’ monitoring.