GL meets counterpart in Dubai:

SL, UAE trade poised for significant growth

The Foreign Ministers of Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates agreed at their bilateral discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi on Thursday that the achievement of peace and stability in Sri Lanka, consequent on the eradication of terrorism, made enhanced co-operation, especially in the economic sphere, timely and appropriate. They discussed a series of practical measures to bring about a swift expansion of Sri Lanka –U.A.E. relations, in light of mutual recognition of the value of the relationship. These discussions took place during the 12-hour official visit by Prof. G.L. Peiris to the United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan told his Sri Lankan counterpart that the government of the Emirates is looking forward to a visit by President Mahinda Rajapaksa this year. He noted that the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, established in 1979, was the country’s first diplomatic mission to be opened in the Gulf, and that the relationship had steadily grown over the decades.

Sheikh Abdullah Al Nahyan expressed appreciation of Sri Lanka’s support for the U.A.E. in the election for membership of the Human Rights Council, held in November 2012 and also for Sri Lanka’s support for the U.A.E. in its bid to host the Secretariat for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi in October 2010.

Sheikh Abdullah noted the sustained high level contacts between the two countries. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa participated in the World Energy Forum and the First Ladies’ Summit for Sustainable Development, held in Dubai in October 2012. Prof. Peiris had discussions on bilateral trade and economic co-operation with Sheike Lubna, the U.A.E.’s Minister for Foreign Trade, on the sidelines of the World Energy Forum in Dubai.

Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera led a delegation to participate in the high level Public-Private Counter Piracy Conference in Dubai in June 2012. Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah accepted the invitation extended to him by Prof. Peiris to visit Sri Lanka, and said that he was looking forward to making an early visit.

The Ministers noted the excellent connectivity between the two countries, with direct daily flights linking Sri Lanka with Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Minister Peiris said Sri Lanka attaches special importance to encouraging larger numbers of tourists from the Emirates to visit Sri Lanka. The number of Emirates tourists visiting Sri Lanka doubled last year.