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Enhanced Japan-Lanka ties via infrastructure development: Japan FM
Japan would like to further promote bilateral cooperation with Sri Lanka through quality infrastructure development in the country, visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono told Sri Lankan officials.
Toshihide Ando, Deputy Press Secretary at the Japanese Foreign Ministry, who was part of Minister Kano’s delegation, told a group of journalists on Friday that the Foreign Minister had stated that Japan would like to strengthen cooperation in improving social infrastructure in Sri Lanka. These include improving infrastructure in the fields of Health and the Environment, particularly in the area of waste management.
Minister Kono also visited the Colombo Port, a project that Japan is interested in investing in.
During his visit to Sri Lanka, the first by a Japanese Foreign Minister in 15 years, Minister Kono held talks with President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Thilak Marapana.
The Minister also mentioned the upcoming visit to Sri Lanka by a delegation from the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which he hoped would further strengthen bilateral relations.
The Japanese side had also briefed their Sri Lankan counterparts on the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy,” which Japan is promoting. “Japan would like to strengthen cooperation in the fields of Maritime Security and Defence. This strategy is to promote a free and open maritime order based on the rule of law, while promoting connectivity through infrastructure development,” Mr Ando told journalists.
While welcoming the visit by the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr Ando said Sri Lankan authorities had also shared Japan’s idea of promoting maritime security and connectivity.
While talks mostly centered on bilateral issues, the two sides also discussed North Korea, which Japan emphasized was a threat to the entire international community.
Minister Kono had stressed the importance of maximising pressure on North Korea through full implementation of sanctions imposed through United Nations Security Council Resolutions. He also called for the early resolution of the abduction issue involving Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean agents during the 1970s.
Japan’s ultimate goal is the de-nuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, Mr Ando stressed.
On North Korea, Sri Lanka fully supported Japan’s position and said it is committed to fully implementing UN Security Council Resolutions against North Korea, Mr Ando noted.
Japan also pledged continued support and assistance for Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Office stated that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe appreciated the support rendered by Japan as a true friend. He pointed out that Japan’s experiences and investment assistance would be invaluable in development projects such as development of the Colombo and Trincomalee Ports, the modernisation and expansion of Kandy Town, the Central Expressway and the expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport.