Japan-Sri Lanka Relations
Japan-Sri Lanka Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On October 6, commencing at 6:00 p.m. for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with Hon. Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, who paid an Official Visit to Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
Following the summit meeting, the two leaders announced a “Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership between Japan and Sri Lanka.”(English (PDF)
/ Japanese (PDF) ) Additionally, a signing ceremony was held under the presence of the two leaders for the “Bandaranaike International Airport Development Project (Phase 2)” yen loan (45,428,000,000 yen).
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
1. Opening Remarks
(1) Prime Minister Abe welcomed this first visit to Japan in approximately 7 years, and offered his congratulations on the emergence of the new administration on the results of Sri Lanka’s free and fair democratic presidential election earlier in January and the general election in August . In response, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe offered his gratitude for the invitation to visit, noted that the friendship have been developed by the two countries since World War II, and expressed his hope to strengthen the comprehensive relationship between the two countries in the future by first strengthening the economic relationship through trade and investment, etc.
(2) The two leaders shared the views that the two countries will elevate to “Comprehensive Partnership” on top of their friendship, and discussed three specific initiatives in (i) Promotion of Investment and Trade, (ii) Cooperation on the National Development Plan in Sri Lanka, and (iii) National Reconciliation and Peacebuilding.
2. Political, Maritime Cooperation
(1) Prime Minister Abe stated that Sri Lanka shares fundamental values with Japan such as democracy and the rule of law, and hoped for further cooperation between the two countries and in the international arena. Prime Minister Abe expressed his hope to hold high level dialogue at the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs this year and explained about Japan’s “Legislation for Peace and Security.” Additionally, Prime Minister Abe stated his welcome over progress in the survey with a view to providing patrol vessels as well as acceptance of Maritime Self Defense Forces in ports and human resource development.
(2) In response, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe expressed his agreement of Prime Minister Abe’s thoughts, appreciated Japan’s initiatives for peace, and explained his hope to proceed with dialogue on various issues, and stated that Sri Lanka would like to proceed with cooperation concerning maritime safety as ocean plays an important role for Japan and Sri Lanka, and that comprehensive cooperation with Japan is important for promoting initiatives toward the challenges that Sri Lanka is facing.
3. The Economy and Economic Cooperation
(1) Prime Minister Abe mentioned that he takes note of Sri Lanka’s economic potential and expects an increasing trend in trade and investment expansion as a result of the visit to Japan by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. He expressed his intention to hold economic dialogue between two governments at an early stage and explained that provision of a total of the approximately 45 billion yen loan was determined for the enlargement of Bandaranaike International Airport. He also stated that Japan would like to help with Sri Lanka’s infrastructure development in the future as well under a “Partnership for Quality Infrastructure.”
(2) In response, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe expressed his hope to deepen dialogue on the economic field between Japan and Sri Lanka, explaining that Sri Lanka occupies an important position amidst Asia’s value chain, that Sri Lanka would like to spur expansion of trade and investment from Japan, and in regard to this point expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Abe for the proposed initiatives in the three fields under the joint declaration.
(1) Prime Minister Wickremesinghe declared the new government’s commitment towards national reconciliation and peace building and expressed his desire for Japan’s support and cooperation in new nation building, particularly with regard to reconstruction and development in the northeastern region of the country which has been affected by the recent conflict.
(2) In response to this, Prime Minister Abe highly valued the fact that the new administration of Sri Lanka encourages confidence building both within and outside the country, and mentioned that Japan, as a friend of Sri Lanka, would continue to support Sri Lanka’s own efforts at peace building and national reconciliation.
5. Cooperation in Regional Affairs, International Arena
The two leaders exchanged views onthe UN Security Council and East Asian regional affairs.