Erik Solheim
Erik Solheim
Erik Solheimis a Norwegian politician for the Socialist Left Party. He is currently Executive Director of UNEP, the United Nations' Environment Programme. Solheim was leader of the Socialist Youth from 1977 to 1981, party secretary from 1981 to 1985, and member of the Parliament of Norway from 1989 to 2001. He was party leader from 1987 to 1997. He was appointed Minister of International Development in 2005 and also Minister of the Environment in 2007, and sat in both offices until...
agreement discuss ensure observed order parties peace process sit together urgent violence
In order to keep the violence from escalating further, it is urgent to get the two parties to sit down together to discuss how to ensure that the ceasefire agreement is observed and how the peace process can be advanced.
crucial order parties progress table
In order to get the parties to the table it is crucial that the ceasefire is respected. If we can make some progress during my visit, I will be satisfied.
agreed announce discuss happy parties
I'm happy to announce that the parties have agreed to discuss the ceasefire agreement.
major peace
It's completely insane, it is a major setback for the peace process,
crucial expect geneva moment moved peace process talks time
We expect the Geneva talks to go ahead. We are at a crucial moment where the peace process can be moved forward. The time is right now.
expect geneva venue
We expect Geneva to be the venue for such a meeting.
bring donors parties peace process ready soon support track
As soon as the parties bring the peace process back on track (...) donors will be more than ready to support them.
announce swiss talk
They should not underestimate the difficulties. We have to talk to the Swiss before we can announce a date.
agreed date tigers
A date has been agreed between the government, the Tigers and Oslo.
elements moment parties positive produce risk stop undermine utmost violence violent
The big risk are spoilers who want to produce violence to undermine this positive effort. At the moment the parties should do their utmost to stop violence, but they should not let violent elements and spoilers derail the process.
realistic
Let us keep expectations at a realistic level.
agreed implement sides
Now the two sides will go back to Sri Lanka and implement what they have agreed during the talks.
bad shadow
It's going from bad to worse. It's very worrying. It's a kind of shadow war.
agreed discuss high improve level meet parties positive security serious
It is very positive that the parties have agreed to meet at a high level to discuss how to improve the serious security situation.