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Monday, September 27, 2010 - 10.10 GMT |
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Sri Lanka embarked on rapid development –
Minister Peiris |
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Sri Lanka having overcome the long period of separatist terror, is now embarked on a path of rapid development, Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris said.
He made this statement during the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting that took place in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Sessions.
"The vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa is to leverage Sri Lanka’s strategic location on the international trade routes and thereby transform the nation into a dynamic hub of global activity. The Government and people of Sri Lanka are confident of realizing in full this vision",
At this meeting Minister Peiris handed over the Chair of the ACD to the Iranian Foreign Minister M Mottaki. Sri Lanka assumed this responsibility at the 8th ACD Ministerial Meeting in Colombo in October 2009. Iran will now host the 9th Ministerial Meeting next November.
Prof. Peiris in his capacity as outgoing Chair noted that while Asia had been by and large able to withstand the recent global economic down turn, the conclusion to be drawn is the need to strengthen regional cooperation to face such future challenges. Prof. Peiris expressed his confidence in this regard that the ACD would with Iran in the Chair, aspire to even greater heights of achievement.
Later that morning, Minister Peiris had a cordial bilateral discussion with the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Mr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa. The two Ministers agreed that Indonesia and Sri Lanka enjoy a warm and longstanding bilateral relationship. Minister Peiris expressed the appreciation of Sri Lanka for the supportive position adopted by Indonesia, during the testing time of the final phase of the humanitarian operation against the terror of the LTTE.
Minister Natalegawa and Minister Peiris noted that there is great scope to intensify the economic and cultural collaboration between the two nations. Both countries in addition to their friendship, also share the common situation of reaping the dividends of a post-conflict scenario. It was agreed that the two Governments would shortly convene a Joint Commission, in order to have in place the supportive infrastructure for the expansion of the relationship.
The two Ministers spoke of the shared interest in the security of the Indian Ocean and the prevention of the abuse of the maritime domain for illegal activities. They accordingly decided to ensure continued collaboration on ocean related matters.
On the afternoon of 22nd September, Prof. Peiris had another bilateral meeting, with Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger of Austria. Minister Peiris briefed his Austrian counterpart on the potential for expanding bilateral ties, especially in the spheres of trade and investment, due to the promising new chapter that has now dawned in Sri Lanka. It was agreed that they and their officials would work closely together, to progress appropriately those areas of mutual interest in the bilateral relationship.
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