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...
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.
agreement hopefully meeting outcome parties
The (hoped-for) outcome of this meeting will be some way of strengthening the agreement on the cease-fire and hopefully that parties will meet again.
bad shadow
It's going from bad to worse. It's very worrying. It's a kind of shadow war.
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.
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.
expect parties peace positive process putting small step taking towards
The parties are taking a small but very significant step towards putting the peace process back on a positive track. And we expect the negotiations to be tough.
advise complex enthusiasm necessary peace possibly specifics
There is real enthusiasm for peace but possibly not real enthusiasm for the necessary compromises. I would not advise on the specifics of the compromises. It's a complex matter.
achieved agreement confidence increasing parties
What should be achieved is increasing confidence between the parties and agreement for a new meeting.
expect geneva venue
We expect Geneva to be the venue for such a meeting.
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.
both call concerned deeply recent sides stop
We are all deeply concerned with the recent escalation of violence. We call upon both sides to put a stop to the violence.
climate conducive create violence
There is a need to create a climate that is conducive to peace. The violence has to stop.
assist both brief india norway peaceful purpose solution visit
The purpose of the visit is to brief India about what Norway had been doing. We will assist both India and Sri Lanka to find a peaceful solution to the problem.
confidence low start starts
There is little confidence at the start between the two sides. Confidence can only increase, but it starts at a low level.