Sri Lanka & Maldives agree on cooperation to combat terrorism
[Tuesday, February 13, 2007 - 4.30 GMT]  

Sri Lanka and the Maldives have recognized the need for bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism, and towards this end, they agreed to sign an MoU to facilitate the process. 

This was one of the key areas of agreement between the two countries included in the Joint Statement issued by the two Governments, during the first State visit to the Maldives by President Mahinda Rajapaksa from February 11 to 13, 2007. 

Both Sri Lanka and the Maldives acknowledged that the visit was most successful and served to immensely enhance the bilateral relationship.

Extensive discussions President Rajapaksa had with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the Maldivian Foreign Minister Ahamed Shaheed, centered on strengthening the existing bilateral cooperation as well as exploring new avenues to broad-base relations. The two leaders also recognized the need to closely cooperate with each other to achieve the objectives of SAARC, in particular the operationalization of SAFTA. 

The key areas discussed were, intelligence cooperation including relating to terrorism, aviation, trade, fisheries, tourism, education, health, environment, immigration & emigration, consular issues, legislative reforms in the Maldives and other issues of common interest.

Below is the text of the Joint Statement:

Both Sri Lanka and the Maldives acknowledged that the visit was most successful and served to immensely enhance the bilateral relationship. President Mahinda Rajapaksa undertook his first State visit to the Maldives
from 11 to 13 February 2007, at the invitation of the President of the Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. President of Sri Lanka was accompanied by Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa, five (05) Cabinet Ministers and senior officials. 

During the visit, President Rajapaksa held extensive discussions with his counterpart Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the Maldivian Foreign Minister Ahamed
Shaheed. The discussions centered on strengthening the existing bilateral cooperation as well as exploring new avenues to broad-base relations. The key areas were intelligence cooperation including relating to terrorism, aviation, trade, fisheries, tourism, education, health, environment, immigration & emigration, consular issues, legislative reforms in the Maldives and other issues of common interest. The two leaders also
recognized the need to closely cooperate with each other to achieve the objectives of SAARC, in particular the operationalization of SAFTA. 

Sri Lanka and the Maldives recognized the need for bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism. Towards this end, they agreed to sign an MoU to facilitate the process. 

The two leaders emphasized the need to diversify trade to non-traditional areas as well as utilize the potential that exists in the services sector, particularly the banking and financial services. The Maldives Investment
Services Bureau organized a business seminar with the participation of prominent business personalities from the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Both sides explored options for enhancing trade and investment between the two
countries. The business community identified a number of areas for improvement.  

Sri Lanka and the Maldives signed two Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of Culture and Education. The Maldivian government appreciated the fact that Sri Lankan institutions have been providing educational facilities to Maldivian students for decades. Sri Lanka reiterated its commitment to continue the assistance for the development of
human resources in the Maldives and announced the granting of 14 full undergraduate scholarships, one in each university in Sri Lanka, for Maldivian students to study in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka also undertook to further simplify the visa procedure for Maldivian students. The
possibilities for collaboration in the proposed new medical school in the Maldives and the mobile health service were explored.  

Sri Lanka agreed to workout an arrangement whereby Maldivian nationals abroad could receive consular assistance through Sri Lankan Missions, where the Maldives is not represented in those countries. It was also agreed to provide multiple entry business visas for an extended period, for Maldivian business persons traveling to Sri Lanka.  

In the aviation field, the Maldivian side in principle agreed to exercise flexibility in providing fifth freedom rights via Male', to additional destinations for Sri Lankan flag carriers flying to and from the African continent and destinations in the sub-continent. In this regard, it was
agreed that the civil aviation authorities of both countries will be meeting soon to discuss the technical details. 

The Maldivian side appreciated the offer by Sri Lanka to conduct health camps in remote Maldivian islands. Sri Lanka also offered training facilities in health related fields. 

In the field of ICTs, Maldivian side agreed to the Sri Lankan proposal to set up five (05) tele-centres (Nenasala) in the Maldives.   

In addition, Sri Lanka reiterated its commitment to advocate regional and international partnerships for environmental protection. The Maldives appreciated Sri Lanka for its support. 

It was agreed that the Joint Task Force on Tourism and the Sub-Commission on Fisheries, between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, would meet by end of May 2007. 

Minister Bogollagama carried out an inspection visit to the construction site of the Central Library Building in Male'. This library building is a gift from the Government of Sri Lanka to the people and Government of the Maldives. The Minister instructed that the construction must be completed by August 2007.   

Both sides acknowledged that the Joint Commission mechanism established between the two countries provided a platform to comprehensively discuss
pending bilateral issues. It was agreed that a review meeting of the Joint Commission would take place towards the end of the year.

 

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Last Updated Date: February 13, 2007 -4.30 GMT