The European Union (EU) has a long and substantial relationship with Sri Lanka, including sizeable development co-operation, extensive trade relations and an important political role.
Co-operation between the EU and Sri Lanka dates back from 1975 when the European Commission and the Government of Sri Lanka concluded a Commercial Co-operation Agreement. Today relations are governed by a “third generation” Co-operation and Partnership Agreement which came into force in April 1995. In order to ensure a smooth functioning and implementation of the Agreement the two parties meet regularly in the format of a Joint Commission. The EC –Sri Lanka Joint Commission normally meets every year, alternately in Brussels and Colombo, on a date fixed by mutual agreement. The 16th session of the Joint Commission took place in Brussels in October 2004 and the next meeting is expected to take place in Colombo in 2007.
The European Commission opened a leave siteDelegation in Colombo in October 1995, which is now headed by Mr Julian Wilson.
EU political involvement has intensified since the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement. The EU (represented by the Presidency and the Commission) is one of the four Co-Chairs that were appointed by the June 2003 Tokyo donors’ conference to support Norway’s facilitation effort and monitor progress in the 2002 peace process.
There was a sizeable increase in EC development co-operation to Sri Lanka following the Ceasefire Agreement with the EC pledging € 50 million during the June 2003 Tokyo donor conference (compared with an initial allocation of € 16.8 million for 2002-2006). Despite the absence of progress in the peace process since Tokyo, the Commission has disbursed most of these funds to consolidate the ceasefire and address urgent assistance needs. This support to the peace process has been complemented by trade and economic assistance and a large tsunami response programme in 2006.