Japan-Sri Lanka Foreign Ministers' Meeting (Overview)
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January 6, 2005
On January 6, Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura of Japan held a brief meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Lakshman Kadirgamar of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Jakarta, Indonesia whilst attending the Special ASEAN Leaders' Meeting on Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami in Jakarta, Indonesia. The following is an overview.
1. Tsunami disaster
(1) Foreign Minister Machimura conveyed the following. As non-project grant aid to Sri Lanka, Japan has decided to provide US$80 million out of the US$250 million emergency bilateral grant aid, which was announced by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Japan has already provided approximately US$140,000 worth emergency aid in-kind and approximately US$10,000 worth of emergency grant aid and the second detachment of the Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team, which arrived in Sri Lanka on January 5, is continuing its operation.
With regard to medium and long-term reconstruction efforts, Japan intends to extend as much cooperation as possible, with the possibility of additional measures in mind.
Japan is pleased to see a developing air of cooperation between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in the reconstruction effort. Japan wishes that such a development will lead to genuine peace in Sri Lanka.
(2) Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar replied by the following. Sri Lanka greatly appreciates the assistance by Japan as the extended US$80 million accounts for almost one third of the emergency bilateral grant aid totally US$250 million. Sri Lanka is also highly appreciates Japan's intent to take a leading role in creating a tsunami early-warning mechanism.
Japan has been providing assistance to Sri Lanka in various forms, and has in particular provided unseen levels of assistance for social infrastructure. The Japanese people know best as to what is necessary in constructing schools, roads, and transportation infrastructure. Sri Lanka hopes that Japan will also actively share its expertise with Sri Lanka in the reconstruction measures and efforts.
With regard to its relationship with the LTTE, the President of Sri Lanka directly delivered a speech calling for the necessary cooperation between the government and the LTTE to reconstruct Sri Lanka, and actual contacts have already been made.
We would be delighted if Foreign Minister Machimura could visit Sri Lanka to observe the situation in Sri Lanka and the progress of rehabilitation efforts.
2. UN reform
Finally, Foreign Minister Machimura expressed his gratitude to Sri Lanka for announcing its support towards Japan in its aspiration to obtain a permanent member to seat in the United Nations (UN) Security Council through the in speech at the UN General Assembly last autumn before noting Japan's intention to continue its cooperation with Sri Lanka towards realizing reform of the UN.
Related Information (Asia Earthquake/Tsunami Disaster)
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