Spain understood Sri Lanka's dilemma- Visiting Foreign Minister
by Manjula Fernando
The visiting Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo
said his country understood the difficulties Sri Lanka is faced with, as
a state which withstood the brunt of terrorism since 1969.
"Having suffered from terrorism, we understand what Sri Lankan people
have gone through," the Spanish Minister said. He made this observation
when Foreign Minister G.L.Peiris described the unfairness in the manner
in which the UN Human Rights probe on Sri Lanka is taking shape
disregarding the on-going domestic efforts for reconciliation.
The two counterparts met at the Foreign Ministry yesterday morning
for bilateral talks ahead of a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa
at Temple Trees.
The Spanish envoy is in Sri Lanka as part of a larger campaign to
canvass for a non-permanent seat for Spain in the UN Security Council.
Prof. Peiris described in detail the sustained efforts by the Government
for reconciliation, post conflict developments in Sri Lanka and efforts
to invest in infrastructure in the devastated regions.
Explaining the reasons for the world disorder that is being
witnessing today, Prof. Peiris said it was a direct result of uninvited
foreign interventions on domestic affairs of countries.
Speaking to a select group of media after the bi-lateral meeting
Prof. Peiris and the Spanish Minister said they discussed the
improvement of trade relations, investment and tourism.
A proposal has been made to commence direct flights by Spanish
Airlines Liberia between Colombo and Madrid. Spain had expressed desire
to share expertise and invest in water treatment plants in Sri Lanka.
The Spanish Minister has emphasised that it was in a position to help
expand Sri Lanka's market for cinnamon and spices in the Latin America
and be a gateway for Africa relations.
The visiting Minister said Sri Lanka was an important partner for his
country in many aspects as well as a platform to improve relations with
India.
The UN Security Council election to elect members for the two year
term, January 2015 - December 2016, will be held on October 16, 2014
during the UN General Assembly.
New Zealand and Turkey are the two contenders of Spain under the
'Western European and others' electoral group.
Ambassador of Spain to Sri Lanka (resident in Delhi) Gustavo de
Aristegui, Honorary Consul of Spain in Sri Lanka Priya Jayawardena,
Director General for Multilateral, Global and Security Affairs Ignacio
Ybanez and DG for North America, Asia and the Pacific Ernesto Zulueta
were among those who were present.
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[Embassy to be opened in Colombo]
Spain has decided to open an Embassy in Sri Lanka in the near future
to strengthen bilateral relations with Sri Lanka. Presently the Spanish
Ambassador in New Delhi is accredited to Sri Lanka.
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