DURING discussions with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov yesterday, Foreign Minister Bogollagama conveyed the appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation for the unstinted support during her fight against terrorism.
Minister Bogollagama Russia had helped Sri Lanka not only by condemning terrorism but also by providing tangible support.
He said Russia’s assistance had come despite informal pressures exerted by some misguided entities in the international community on her to desist from backing Sri Lanka.
He also noted the Russian Federation's assistance in addressing the post conflict challenges which includes the provision of relief items and US$500,000 through UNHCR.
Minister Bogollagama said that in view of the importance human rights issues had gained in the international arena, Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation had a frank exchange of views and it was recognized that all countries were not equal players in the field of human rights, since the diktats of some countries get overriding positions to the point of creating double standards.
This, the Foreign Minister said, could be a culmination of some members of the international community unwittingly becoming pawns of groups with misplaced vested interests.
Bogollagama further stated that the two countries were of the view that the international community should alleviate themselves from such machinations and act in accordance with around realities.
The two Ministers also addressed issues concerning the global economic downturn which had affected all the countries. In this context, the discussion of the two Foreign Ministers focused on the necessity for concerted coordinated partnerships, across regions, to overcome the current hiatus and to place structures in place to prevent a future repetition of what had been experienced for the past year.
Minister Bogollagama also placed on record Sri Lanka's appreciation to the offer made by the Russian Federation for the state credit line of $ 300 Million. The two Foreign Ministers also discussed ways and means of furthering economic cooperation and the possibilities of enhancing trade and economic relations while potential for the trade of products such as rubber and rubber based product, gems and jewellery, carbon, coconut and coconut based products, tea, steel, graphite, fisheries, wood based products and pharmaceutical products were recognised.
With regard to Russian investments in Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister Layrov recounted approximately 20 Russian based companies established in Sri Lanka. The potential for the expansion of economic ties through increased trade and investment was pointed out. In this context, Russia's interest in oil exploration in the Mannar Bay and the rehabilitation of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery was reiterated. It was agreed to work on Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation. (Courtesy : The Island)
