CFSP Statement
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the agreement on a post-tsunami operations management structure (P-TOMS) in Sri Lanka

Date of release : 25-06-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

The European Union welcomes the agreement on a Post-Tsunami Operations Management Structure (P-TOMS) which has just been signed and congratulates the President of Sri Lanka, her government and the LTTE for the very positive and constructive step. This structure will greatly facilitate post-tsunami reconstruction in the North and East of Sri Lanka. The European Union is particularly pleased that it will involve all stakeholders, in particular the Muslim community. Co-operation in the framework of P-TOMS will also help to build confidence between parties to the Sri Lankan peace process.

The European Union urges all parties to ensure that the P-TOMS becomes operational as soon as possible, so that the urgent needs of all the tsunami victims can be addressed without further delay. The European Union confirms its readiness to assist all the parties in setting up the structure and making it work. The European Union reiterates its pledge to commit substantial funds to the Trust Fund whose objective is to finance projects decided by the P-TOMS, once the structure has been established.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.