Sri Lanka commends Russia's support during Sri Lanka's fight against
terrorism
The Russian Federation's Minister of Foreign Affairs,
H.E. Sergey V. Lavrov, who is currently on a historic one day visit to
Sri Lanka held discussions with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 26th October 2009.
The Russian Foreign Minister, who is the first to
visit Sri Lanka in that capacity since Sri Lanka and Russia established
Diplomatic Relations 52 years ago, discussed a number of wide ranging
issues with his Sri Lankan counterpart.
During the discussions, Foreign Minister Bogollagama
conveyed the appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka to the Russian
Federation for the unstinted support during Sri Lanka's fight against
terrorism. The Foreign Minister stated that the Russian Federation had,
throughout Sri Lanka's challenge against terrorism, been one of the
closest allies by being consistent with its support politically on the
need to interdict and neutralize terrorist activities in Sri Lanka. He
said this support was reflected not only in the condemnation of heinous
terrorist acts by the LTTE but also through policy support and tangible
measures. Foreign Minister Bogollagama pointed out that this was done
despite the informal pressures which may have been exerted by some
misguided entities in the international community against provision of
such support to Sri Lanka. He also noted the Russian Federation's
assistance in addressing the post conflict challenges which includes the
provision of relief items and US$500,000 through UNHCR.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama also stated that in view
of the importance human rights issues have gained in the international
arena, Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation had a frank exchange of
views and it was recognized that all countries were not equal players in
the field of human rights, since the dictates of some countries get
overriding positions to the point of creating double standards. This,
the Foreign Minister said, could be a culmination of some members of the
international community unwittingly becoming pawns of groups with
misplaced vested interests. Foreign Minister Bogollagama further stated
that the two countries were of the view that the international community
should alleviate themselves from such machinations and act in accordance
with ground realities.
The two Ministers also addressed issues concerning the
global economic downturn which has affected all the countries. In this
context, the discussion of the two Foreign Ministers focused on the
necessity for concerted coordinated partnerships, across regions, to
overcome the current hiatus and to place structures in place to prevent
a future repetition of what we have been experiencing for the past year.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama also placed on record Sri Lanka's
appreciation to the offer made by the Russian Federation for the state
credit line of US$.300 Million. The two Foreign Ministers also discussed
ways and means of furthering economic cooperation and the possibilities
of enhancing trade and economic relations while potential for the trade
of products such as rubber and rubber based products, gems and jewellery,
carbon, coconut and coconut based products, tea, steel, graphite,
fisheries, wood based products and pharmaceutical products were
recognised. With regard to Russian investments in Sri Lanka, Foreign
Minister Lavrov recounted approximately 20 Russian based companies
having established in Sri Lanka. The potential for the expansion of
economic ties through increased trade and investment being evident was
pointed out. In this context, Russia's interest in oil exploration in
the Mannar bay and the rehabilitation of the Sapugaskanda oil refinery
was reiterated. It was agreed to work towards an Agreement on Trade and
Economic Cooperation.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama and Russian Foreign
Minister Lavrov discussed the process of integration in the Asia-Pacific
region which both countries were focusing on and also noted the
cooperative work being done in the SAARC, Asia Cooperation Dialogue
Asian regional Forum and the Shanghai Cooperation. During the
discussions, it was also noted that bilateral agreements on Air
Services, Tourism and Mutual Legal Assistance which are currently at an
advance stage of negotiations, would be ready for signature in the near
future.
Foreign Minister Lavrov will be calling on H.E.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa this evening following which the Agreement
on 'Cooperation to Suppress Illicit Traffic in and Abuse of Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances; would be signed by the two Foreign
Ministers. The MOU on the Prevention of Natural Disasters and Mitigation
of their Consequences was signed at the conclusion of the bilateral
consultations earlier this morning by the Ambassador for the Russian
Federation in Sri Lanka H.E. Vladimir P. Mikhailov and Acting Secretary
of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mr. G.D.K.
Amarawardena.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama and Russian Foreign
Minister Lavrov also addressed the local and international media at a
media interaction following the conclusion of the bilateral discussions.
Foreign Minister Lavrov is also scheduled to deliver an address at the
BMICH today.
Courtesy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Colombo |
