COLOMBO: Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama who is in New Delhi to attend the 14th SAARC Summit called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives and Chief Advisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh yesterday.
The Ministers of Bangladesh and Maldives are in New Delhi to attend the SAARC Summit,states a Foreign Ministry press release.
Minister Bogollagama discussed with his Maldivian counterpart Dr. Ahamed Shaheed issues ranging from an increase of air traffic and connectivity, terrorism and its threat to the region, drug trafficking and organised crime, and other issues relating to economic and political co-operation.
Minister Bogollagama expressed gratitude to the Foreign Minister of Maldives for the excellent hospitality extended during the recent State visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Maldives.
Minister Bogollagama agreed to the request of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives to have the Joint Commission Meeting in due course.
Further, the Minister stated that the library project in the Maldives, which Sri Lanka is funding, would be inaugurated as scheduled.
Minister Bogollagama discussed dynamics of fisheries between the two countries and requested the Maldivian side to propose dates for the sub-commission on fisheries. Strategies relating to the enhancement of bilateral tourism were also discussed.
Among economic co-operation, Sri Lanka had extended 14 full scholarships for under-graduate education to students for Maldives.
The proposition of health and medical services which was proposed during the recent State visit of President Rajapaksa to the Maldives were also discussed. Minister Bogollagama extended high priority to trade in general and intra-regional trade in particular.
He requested his Maldivian counterpart to support the already existing SAFTA and the concept of free trade both in letter and spirit, at the forthcoming SAARC Summit, in order to have smooth execution and unimpeded flow of trade.
The two Ministers agreed on the political and economic utility of forming a SAARC Parliament. Minister Bogollagama transcended even further to propose the intrinsic economic utility of having a single currency in the region in the future.
The Ministers discussed the increasing menace and vulnerability of terrorism, particularly in the backdrop of the illicit light aircraft used by the LTTE last week among others.
On the same note, the Ministers were of the conviction that terrorism needs to be addressed comprehensively and efficaciously in order to ensure security and stability in the region.
During a call on the Chief Advisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Iftikhar Ahmed Chowdhury by Minister Bogollagama, the current situation in Sri Lanka, including terrorism, were expounded.
Minister Bogollagama impressed the fact that a large number of Front Organisations of the LTTE raise funds for their illegitimate and heinous terrorist activities. Chief Advisor of Bangladesh stated that his country would endeavour to work in a concerted manner to ensure that the entire region would be free of the scourge of terrorism.
In the context of terrorism, Minister Bogollagama added that the key countries of the region were very supportive of the counter-terrorism initiatives proposed by Sri Lanka.
The two dignitaries discussed the opportunities and economic vistas in the realm of trade as well as in investments between the two countries.
Minister Bogollagama stated that one of his objectives were to transform Sri Lanka to a global Apparel Hub. Minister Bogollagama also raised the issue of air services and connectivity between Dhaka and Colombo.
Further, the Minister raised the fact that bilateral trade between the two countries has not risen in a significant manner in the past. The Chief Advisor too extended due cognizance to these concerns and requests and added that his Government would address these issues.
He did add that it would be difficult to explain to any a person the reason for not having direct connectivity between Dhaka and Colombo, given the best of relations the two countries have been maintaining.
Source: Daily News Sri-Lanka
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