FM Bogollagama meets his counterparts on the sidelines of BIMSTEC
summit in Myanmar
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who is currently
in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to participate in the 12th Session of the Bay of
Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
(BIMSTEC) Ministerial Meeting had bilateral consultations with the
Foreign Ministers of Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand.
During his meeting with Mr. Nyan Win, Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, Minister Bogollagama reviewed
the status of bilateral relations with Myanmar. Minister Win recalled
with gratitude the recent visit to Sri Lanka by the Chairman of the
State Law and Order Restoration Council of Myanmar and stated that the
visit was a landmark in bilateral relations between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama briefed his counterpart
on the current political developments in Sri Lanka and the preparations
for the forthcoming Presidential Elections. Foreign Minister Bogollagama
also stressed that the two countries should work towards promoting
bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Myanmar and in this regard the
Ministers agreed to follow up on the decisions taken at the recently
concluded Sri Lanka-Myanmar Joint Commission.
During his meeting with Mrs. Sujatha Koirala, Deputy
Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Foreign
Minister Bogollagama reviewed the new developments in bilateral
relations between the two countries. Mrs. Koirala stated that the recent
visit by His Excellency the President to Nepal has added new impetus to
the existing bilateral relations. She recalled with gratitude the
guidance given by the Sri Lankan President on the governance and
inclusive democratic process, which are at present pursued by the
Nepalese Government.
Both Ministers stressed the importance of linking
Colombo and Kathmandu through direct air links, which would facilitate
the pilgrims' traffic to Lumbini, increase trade opportunities and
people-to-people contacts.
Mrs. Koilrala appreciated the interest expressed by
President Rajapaksa on the developments in Lumbini, which is one of the
most sacred places for the Buddhists all over the world.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama also met with his Thai
counterpart Mr. Kasit Piromya on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC meeting
and expressed the gratitude for the contributions made by the latter at
the recently held Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting in
Colombo.
Minister Bogollagama apprised his Thai counterpart of
the situation in regard to IDPs in Sri Lanka. In responding to the
request made by the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mr. Piromya agreed to
assist the de-mining process, which would facilitate expediting the
resettlement of IDPs.
Both Ministers agreed to convene the Sri Lanka
-Thailand Joint Commission early next year. With respect to the progress
of BIMSTEC, Mr. Bogollagama exchanged views with all three Foreign
Ministers, particularaly underlining the importance of the early
establishment of BIMSTEC Permanent Secretariat. Minister Bogollagama
recalled Sri Lanka's offer to host the Permanent Secretariat in Colombo
and solicited the support from his counterparts.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama drew the attention of his
counterparts to the Climate Change Conference which is being held in
Copenhagen stressing that challenges posed by the climate change should
be addressed globally as well as regionally. He further stated that
magnitude of the climate change will cause, if not addressed in a timely
manner, serious challenge to the human civilization and security.
Courtesy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Colombo
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