Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse said the success of the Geneva talks is an honor that has to be collectively shared by all political parties who took part in the All Party Conference which was initiated by the government.

The president said that through the Geneva talks between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels, they have opened an opportunity to solve the north and east problem through discussions with transparency, Daily News said Tuesday.

"We are appreciative of the consensus arrived at with regard to the many areas including the current wave of assassinations, abductions and conscription of child soldiers," Rajapakse was quoted as saying.

The president said that they had a duty to build an environment where all ethnic groups could live in harmony free from fear and doubt. To achieve this end they need the cooperation of all the political parties.

Rajapakse said that he had in the back of his mind all the political parties that took part and presented views and proposals at the All Party Conference before the Geneva talks which were held on Feb. 22-23.

The Switzerland-hosted talks were the first face-to-face meeting between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels since April 2003.

Source: Xinhua