Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Thursday, 29 October 2020 00:55 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday underscored the importance of the economic ties between Sri Lanka and the United States of America during a meeting with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.
At a joint press event Gunawardena and Pompeo addressed at the conclusion of the talks, the Foreign Minister said the US is one of Sri Lanka’s major development partners with over $ 2 billion worth of development assistance in wide-ranging areas including agriculture, environment, natural resources, health, education, bsiness development, trade and humanitarian assistance.
“The US remained Sri Lanka’s largest single market with exports of $ 3.1 billion in 2019 and even in the present context of COVID-19 related market downturn, remains in a similar position with $ 1.1 billion for the first half of this year,” Gunawardena said.
He said that in furtherance of making bilateral engagement between the two countries more robust, the two parties have agreed to convene the next session of the US-SL Partnership Dialogue 4 in early 2021, and also progress on several areas including economic, defence and research through intensified coordination.
The next session of the Joint Council of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement [TIFA] will also be convened at the earliest possible time frame.
“The two-sides also agreed to broaden our bilateral engagement in areas such as ICT, cyber security, agriculture, science, technology, innovations, trade, investment, business and climate change,” Gunawardena said.
The Foreign Minister also noted that today (29 October) marks the significant milestone of the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka – then Ceylon – and the United States of America.
“For over seven decades, our two countries have nurtured a strong relationship, founded on shared values of democracy and socio-economic orientation. The relations between our peoples go back to the mid-1800s, pre-dating the formal establishment of diplomatic relations. Over the years, this engagement has significantly matured into a multi-faceted relationship, covering political, economic, educational, cultural and defence spheres including maritime matters. Equally important are the people to people interactions between our two nations.”
Gunawardena said it is heart-warming that the senior US official had chosen to visit Sri Lanka, despite formidable challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You are visiting Sri Lanka at a historic moment. The world is challenged with a pandemic of unimaginable proportions affecting our lives, livelihoods and relations across borders. In the 1930s, the John Hopkins University commissioned the study to develop Ceylon's Public and Community Health System, which contributed towards Sri Lanka’s successful health system. American personalities such as Buddhist Theosophist Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, hailing from New Jersey, made immense contributions to the advancement of Buddhism and education in the country.”
Gunawardena noted that Sri Lanka is the oldest democracy in Asia where citizens have enjoyed universal franchise for almost 90 years, and it is also a time in Sri Lanka where the democratic ethos and practice have stood strong, with the Sri Lankan people resoundingly expressing their free choice through two major electoral processes of Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
“These elections reflect the people’s mandate to safeguard the unitary state, sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security and economic progress, presenting a clear opportunity for all friendly nations, especially for the United States, to join in our forward journey for a stable, secure country with economic advancement.”
Gunawardena said that the US has been a friend in assisting Sri Lanka in times of difficulty and Sri Lanka remains deeply grateful for the support. He recalled the significant US assistance to Sri Lanka after the tsunami in 2004.
“I recall the visits of former President George Bush (Senior) and former President Bill Clinton; the assistance in the aftermath of Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in April 2019 and most recently for COVID-19 mitigation. I also extend my sincere thanks and appreciation once again for proscribing the LTTE terrorist organisation even before the 9/11 attacks and up to now.”
Gunawardena said yesterday’s discussions were a continuation of interactions between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Secretary Pompeo, which took place virtually a few months ago with key US interlocutors and dialogue.
“It has been an opportunity for both sides to understand each other’s priorities, share insights and consider steps to further elevating bilateral engagement on agreed areas of cooperation.”
Gunawardena emphasised that as a sovereign, free, independent nation, Sri Lanka’s foreign policy will remain neutral, non-aligned and friendly.
“Conscious of the opportunities and responsibilities that come with our strategic location, we see the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in our seas and air space, while also protecting sea lines of communication and the undersea cables. We believe all countries should adhere to and respect international law, including UN Convention on Law of the Sea [UNCLOS]. We share views on the potential multi-faceted maritime cooperation which Sri Lanka is keen to progress.”
(CK)
