Deputy Foreign Minister concludes successful visit to The Hague

Thursday, 23 April 2015 01:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

On the sidelines of the Global Conference on Cyberspace (GCCS 2015), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ajith P. Perera paid a visit to the historic Peace Palace on 16 April and met Deputy Secretary General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), Brooks W. Daly. The Deputy Minister briefed the Deputy Secretary General on current political developments in Sri Lanka including proposed constitutional reforms, progress achieved in the protection and promotion of human rights and Government initiatives taken to foster peace and reconciliation. Daly acknowledged Sri Lanka’s contribution in the PCA and noted the significant service rendered by eminent Sri Lankan jurists at the International Court of Justice. Both parties agreed to expedite the finalisation of a proposed Host Country Agreement between Sri Lanka and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The PCA, which was established in 1899 as an intergovernmental organisation, aims to facilitate arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states and now consists of 117 state parties, with Sri Lanka serving as a member since 1955. Perera concluded his visit to The Hague by meeting with officials of the Dutch Foreign Ministry - Director of the Asia and Oceania Department Peter Potman and Senior Policy Officer of the Asia and Oceania Department Arnold van der Zanden - to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations between both countries. Senior Deputy Solicitor General Neil Unamboowe and CDA a.i. of the Sri Lanka Embassy in The Hague Wathsala Amarasinghe were present at the meeting with the Deputy Minister. Perera gave an overview of the current political developments in Sri Lanka and measures being taken by the Government to strengthen democracy, human rights, good governance and the rule of law as well as constitutional reforms underway following the formation of the new Government in January 2015. He spoke on the favourable investment climate existing in the country and the significance of the nation’s geostrategic position, before inviting Dutch investment in the fields of software technology and tourism. While welcoming the progress of new Government initiatives, the Dutch officials said that they looked forward to working closely with the new Government to further bilateral cooperation and appreciated the potential of Sri Lanka as a growing market. Both countries identified the need to strengthen diplomatic relations between them through dialogue and a close partnership while also underscoring the positive role the revival of direct air links between them could play to enhance trade, tourism and bilateral relations.