Hakeem and Iranian Justice Minister meet on AALCO sidelines

Friday, 19 September 2014 00:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Justice Minister and SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem met with his Iranian counterpart Mostafa Pourmohammadi on the sidelines of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO) sessions, which were held in Tehran on 16 September. Hakeem thanked Iran for its assistance in local developmental activities such as irrigation projects and rural electrification. He also told the Iranian Justice Minister that Sri Lanka was grateful for his country’s continued support when UNHRC resolutions were moved against it. Hakeem stated that during the 30-year conflict Iran supported Sri Lanka with logistical and developmental assistance. He added that sanctions imposed on central banks and financial systems have the effect of seriously impeding economic and trade activities. Iran is a necessary party in finding solutions to conflicts and other complex issues in the region and therefore should be co-opted as a party if a lasting solution is to be found, Hakeem expressed. The two ministers discussed how groups who were capturing certain parts of Iraq and Syria must be brought under control and Iran, as a neighbor to such countries, has a legitimate interest and right to be concerned with those conflicts. Justice Ministry Secretary Kamalini De Silva and legal consultant M.H.M Salaman accompanied the minister to the AALCO Sessions.