Bogollagama expresses hope for positive engagement of EU countries to resolve the GSP +

(October 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who recently returned from a visit to New York after attending the UNGA with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka briefed the media today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during which he discussed in detail, various issues stemming from the meetings and interaction he had with his counterparts and other dignitaries on the sidelines of the UNGA.

Addressing the media Foreign Minister Bogollagama stated that he had met with a large number of his counterparts from across the globe and discussed wide range of issues. He was also able to brief them on the current developments in Sri Lanka including the resettlement of the IDPs, infrastructure development in the north and the political process. Among those whom he met are the Foreign Ministers of Fiji, Denmark, Jordan, Australia, India, Spain, Cuba, Portugal, Austria, UK, France, Morocco, Oman and Turkey.

The Minister also discussed details pertaining to the two other important meetings held on the sidelines of the UNGA, namely informal consultations between the SAARC-EU and the ACD meeting. Foreign Minister Bogollagama elaborating on his discussions during the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Meeting stated that all 31 countries attended the meeting during which the Chairmanship of the ACD was formally handed over to Sri Lanka. He also stated that the Membership of the ACD was briefed on the theme of the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the ACD to be held in Colombo which is due to be held from 14th-15th October 2009, which is: "Spirit of Asia: Global Economic
Recovery and Development Prospects". The Minister further elaborated by stating that the countries supported the theme and assured their fullest cooperation for the successful completion of the 8th Ministerial Meeting. Minister Bogollagama also outlined the issues which would be discussed during the 8th ACD meeting such as the impact of the global economic crisis on the Asian economies, promotion of E-education, poverty reduction,
biodiversity and climate change, promotion of energy security, global debt crisis, promotion of road/highway development, economic prospects for the region and assistance from multilateral institutions.


Foreign Minister Bogollagama also revealed that Sri Lankan was making preparation for the 8th ACD Ministerial Meeting for which Sri Lanka was expecting over 20 Foreign Ministers from 31 member countries to attend this important Ministerial Meeting of which The Foreign Minister would be the Chair. He also stated that Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President will inaugurate the Ministerial Meeting on 15th October 2009 and pointed out that hosting of this important regional meeting representing more than 1/3rd of the world's population was extremely important in consolidating the image of Sri Lanka as a peaceful and democratic country with vast economic potential. The Minister also stated that the ACD will enable Sri Lanka to have wider engagement with Asian countries, and particularly so with a diverse grouping such as the ACD. He also said that Sri Lanka was looking forward to enhanced economic and social connectivity and cooperation within the Asian region.

The Minister explained that Sri Lanka became a member of the ACD in 2003 and it was at the 6th ACD Ministerial Meeting held in Seoul, Republic of Korea that Sri Lanka offered to host this prestigious grouping. He also stated that accordingly, at the 7th ACD Ministerial Meeting held in Astana in Kazakhstan, the member countries decided to hand over the Chair to Sri Lanka and to host the next Ministerial Meeting. Minister Bogollagama pointed out that assumption of the Chair of the ACD is in addition to Sri Lanka holding the position of the Chair of the SAARC. Sri Lanka is also scheduled to chair the next G-15 meeting and added that it is perhaps the first time that Sri Lanka is holding the Chairmanship of three important international and regional organizations simultaneously.

Moving on to discuss other issues, Foreign Minister Bogollagama referring to the statement made by US Secretary of State Mrs. Hillary Clinton in connection to the adoption of the UN Security Resolution to Combat Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict where a reference to Sri Lanka had been made, stated that he summoned the US Ambassador in Colombo and handed over an Aide Memoire to be submitted to the US Government. He stated that in the Aide Memoire, Sri Lanka had categorically denied the allegations and had stressed that the members of the armed forces maintain the highest level of discipline and that such allegations would have been due to false and malicious, anti-Sri Lanka propaganda. He further stated that he had requested for the retraction of the reference to Sri Lanka in this statement.

Referring to the response received form the US Government based on the Aide Memoire, Foreign Minister Bogollagama stated that he was pleased to note that the US State Department had responded to him in a letter dated 3rd October 2009 in which it had stated that that (quote) ".in the most recent phase of the conflict, from 2006 to 2009 ... we have not received reports that rape and sexual abuse were used as tools of war, as they clearly have in other conflict area around the world. We hope that this clarification puts the issue in its proper context."

Foreign Minister Bogollagama also discussed issues concerning the GSP Plus and stated that Sri Lanka was engaging with the EU countries for the extension of the GSP and expressed hope that the issue would be resolved in Sri Lanka's favour.

During the media interaction, Minister Bogollagama also drew the attention of the media to the incident which occurred at the Sri Lanka High Commission in new Delhi on 2nd October 2009 during which a mob comprising about 40-50 person arrived at the main gate of the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi with placards with around ten people forcibly jumping over the main gate and entered the Mission property and caused some damage to the property. The Minister stated that immediately following the incident at the High Commission, Indian External Affairs Minister Mr. S. M. Krishna initiated a telephone call to him and expressed his concern and assured of action against the perpetrators. The External Affairs Minister also stated that the Indian Government has taken steps to strengthen the security at the High Commission. The Minister added that one suspect involved in the incident has been taken into custody by the Indian authorities.

During the briefing, Foreign Minister Bogollagama responded to questions posed by the members of the media on various issues connected to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Foreign Minister also introduced Sri Lanka's recently appointed Foreign Secretary, Romesh Jayasinghe, who assumed duties at the Ministry on 1st October 2009. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also associated with the media briefing.

-Sri Lanka Guardian