‘SL supports interests of Gulf countries’

The historical ties enjoyed by Sri Lanka with Arab nations have received a fresh impetus from the initiatives by the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to support strongly the vital interests and identity of countries of the Gulf region as a pivotal feature of its foreign policy, External Affairs Minister Professor G L Peiris said in Abu Dhabi on Sunday during his bilateral meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris held bilateral discussions with Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi recently.

He pointed out that regularly in his address to the General Assembly of the United Nations, President Rajapaksa called for recognition by the world body of Palestine’s entitlement to statehood within secure borders, and expressed the wish last month that this should become a reality within the year.

The UAE Foreign Minister recalled with pleasure his visit to Sri Lanka in May 2009, and stated that the government of the United Arab Emirates is looking forward to the visit by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, scheduled to take place shortly.

He expressed appreciation of Sri Lanka’s consistent support for the United Arab Emirates in international fora. Sri Lanka supported the UAE’s bid to host the Secretariat for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi in October 2010, the UAE’s candidature for membership of the Board of Governors for the International Agency for Atomic Energy (IAEA) in Vienna, in September 2010, membership of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada in October 2010, and membership of the Radio Regulations Board of the International Telecommunication Union in Mexico in October 2010.

The importance attributed by the UAE to its relationship with Sri Lanka is signified by the scheduled visit to Sri Lanka by Foreign Trade Minister of the U.A.E Sheikha Lubna next month.

Prof. G.L. Peiris said reciprocally, the value of the relationship to Sri Lanka is demonstrated by the fact that the Sri Lanka Mission in Abu Dhabi was the first Mission opened by Sri Lanka in the Gulf region.

Sri Lankans constitute the fourth largest expatriate community in the UAE. The UAE Minister referred to the valuable contribution made by the Sri Lankan community of about 305,000 spread in all seven Emirates, to the economy of the UAE.

The connection of Sri Lanka’s emphasis on solidarity with the Arab world, Prof. Peiris said, “is our belief that all cultures, of East and West, must inspire and sustain the international legal order, and that no single culture can have a monopoly in this regard. All historical and spiritual experience must be fully absorbed and accommodated in the content of the international legal order, without any form of exclusion or relegation.”

Oriental legal systems, including the Islamic tradition, have as their anchor highly developed and refined concept in respect of human rights and humanitarian values, societal structures and the social compact between government and the public. In view of this richness and diversity of approaches, there is compelling reason to require equitable representation for all geographical regions in organs of the United Nations system, he said. Prof. Peiris stressed the need for collective action in achieving inclusive approaches in this field, and the importance of strengthening institutions and mechanisms to ensure that the voice of the overwhelming majority of nations in the global community is heard and respected.

Against this backdrop, Minister Peiris briefed his UAE counterpart about contemporary developments in Sri Lanka over the whole range of matters involving resettlement of internally displaced persons, reintegration of ex-combatants, revival of the economy in regions affected by the war, resuscitation of the electoral process, ongoing discussions with Tamil political parties and other issues. He explained the course of action Sri Lanka had following last month in the Human Rights Council in Geneva and at the United Nations in New York.

Sri Lanka would appreciate the understanding and support of Arab nations in respect of its bold initiatives regarding development, reconciliation and empowerment as the country leaves behind it the pain and anguish of the past and moves forward towards achieving stability and prosperity for all its people, Minister Peiris said.