The EU Heads of Mission in Colombo take note of the announcement that the LTTE proposals on an interim administration in the North and East were forwarded to the Government of Sri Lanka on 31 October. This represents an important step forward in the peace process.

The EU Heads of Mission hope that there will now be a resumption of direct talks between the parties aimed at reaching an agreement on a solution acceptable to all communities in Sri Lanka.

The EU Heads of Mission emphasize the linkage between assistance by the international donor community and substantial parallel progress in the peace process as indicated in the declaration adopted by the Donor Conference in Tokyo on 10 June 2003.