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EU to revise development strategy for Sri Lanka

Xinhua, May 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Union (EU), in close consultation with the Sri Lankan government, is currently in the process of revising its development strategy for Sri Lanka, a Sri Lanka - EU joint statement said on Monday.

The joint statement said that the Working Group on Cooperation under the framework of the European Union-Sri Lanka Joint Commission concluded its meeting in Colombo on Monday.

The meeting was co-chaired by Jorge de la Caballeria, head of Unit for South and South East Asia of European Commission Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development and M.I.M Rafeek, secretary of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs of Sri Lanka.

Senior officials from the European Union and other ministries of Sri Lanka also participated in the meeting. The visiting delegation led by Caballeria also met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Harsha de Silva.

At the conclusion of the working group, Caballeria said the EU, in close consultation with the government, is currently in the process of revising its development strategy for Sri Lanka.

"Besides a continuing focus on Integrated Rural Development, the country strategy will also support the government's plans for reconciliation and governance. We hope that the new priorities will assist the government in the implementation of the UNHRC Resolution on Sri Lanka, encompassing the areas of accountability and transitional justice, resettlement and durable solutions, governance and reconciliation."

The Sri Lankan government meanwhile said it appreciates the assistance received from the EU for the development of the country and its citizens and hopes that EU will continue to assist the government in achieving its medium term target of becoming an upper middle income country. Endit