Courtesy Call on Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, by Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, Senior Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka

February 20, 2007

On February 19 (Mon), Mr. Aso Taro, Minister for Foreign Affairs, met with Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, Senior Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka, on his visit to Japan, for about 25 minutes. The gist is as follows:

1. Bilateral Relations

Mr. Aso stated that Japan and Sri Lanka share a common cultural basis of Buddhism, and have maintained good relationship for a long time. He said that he expected an active exchange of opinions on strengthening bilateral relations in both political and economic aspects in the Japan-Sri Lanka Policy and Economy consultations which will be held in Sri Lanka in March. In response, Mr. Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka appreciated Japan's cooperation and assistance such as the appointment of Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Japan's contribution to the Sri Lanka Peace Process, assistance for social and economic development through ODA, and assistance for reconstruction after the damage caused by the last tsunami.

2. Economic Cooperative Relationship

Mr. Aso told Mr. Rajapaksa that Japan had formally decided to offer to the Government of Sri Lanka Yen Loans amounting to 39.2 billion yen for three projects including the Greater Colombo Urban Transport Development Project. He also stated that he expected to contribute to Sri Lanka's mid- and long-term economic development, poverty alleviation, and the consolidation of peace.

3. Peace Process

Mr. Aso praised the stance of the Government of Sri Lanka against terrorism and emphasized that it was necessary to have dialogue to achieve peace. While Mr. Aso strongly hoped for the early formulation and proposal for the devolution package to solve the ethnic problems, he said that the LTTE's acts of terror could never be permitted, but it was also important to work tenaciously on including the LTTE in the process of negotiation. Mr. Aso also said that the Government of Japan would make further the utmost, for example, by dispatching Mr. Akashi as its Representative. In response, Mr. Rajapaksa answered that he shared Mr.Aso's idea of the "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity" and that the Government of Sri Lanka intended to solve problems through dialogue. He also said that even when the government had to use force, it would try to avoid victimizing even one person.

(END)

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