FM participates at ACD Ministerial meeting [Monday, May 29, 2006 - 9.00 GMT]

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, participated at the 5^th Ministerial Meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Qatar on 24^th May 2006.

Sri Lanka, which is a joint prime mover with Singapore to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector within the ACD, submitted a proposal for the areas of future cooperation at the Ministerial Meeting, which was accepted and is reflected in the Doha declaration of the 5^th ACD Ministerial Meeting. The Ministerial Meeting also welcomed Russia and Saudi Arabia as new members of the ACD.

The Foreign Minister also called on Heir Apparent His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, in the absence of His Highness the Emir, the Head of State of Qatar. The Minister handed over an invitation from President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed to His Highness the Emir of Qatar to visit Sri Lanka. The Heir Apparent appreciated the contribution of the Sri Lankan professionals and other skilled workers in Qatar for the development and progress of his country.

Minister Samaraweera also met the First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad, Bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani, and briefed him on the current security situation in Sri Lanka and the issue of fund raising activities of the LTTE including in Gulf countries.

The Foreign Minister made use of the opportunity to introduce Sri Lanka’s candidate to the post of Secretary General of the UN, Jayantha Dhanapala to the respective leaders.

On the sidelines of the ACD Conference, meetings were held with visiting Foreign Ministers of China, Russia, Indonesia, South Korea, Oman, Singapore, UAE, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the State Minister for External Affairs of India.

Minister Samaraweera also met with representatives of Sri Lanka Associations in Qatar during the visit, and discussed with them issues related to Sri Lankan migrant workers.

The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Senior Advisor to the President Jayantha Dhanapala, Secretary, Ministry of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Thosapala Hewage and Additional Secretary/Foreign Affairs Karunatilaka Amunugama

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Last Updated Date: May  29, 2006 -9.00 GMT