PROF. G.L.PEIRIS MEETS PRESIDENT OF SENEGAL
The External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris said that a significant feature of the foreign policy of Sri Lanka is to strengthen traditional and historic ties with countries in the continent of Africa.
Professor Pei- ris made this observation at a meeting with President of the Republic of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade during a visit to Senegalese capital Dakar as the Special Envoy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently.
President Wade during the meeting recalled with pleasure the meeting he had with President Rajapaksa in September last year on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Professor Peiris handed over a personal letter of felicitation from President Rajapaksa to President Wade. The President of Senegal warmly reciprocated these sentiments and said that he looks forward to working closely with Sri Lanka in the new situation which has arisen since the eradication of terrorism.
He recalled the 50th Anniversary meeting of the Asian African Legal Consultative Committee, hosted by Sri Lanka in Colombo last year, and emphasized the strong bond between Sri Lanka and Senegal as countries which show solidarity in applying the principles of the Non_aligned Movement in addressing current regional and global issues.
Minister Peiris stated that it was the initiative of The Asian African Legal Consultative Com- mittee with regard to the concept of Exclusive Economic Zones which provided the foundation for the Law of the Sea negotiations on the demarcation of the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone. He added that a forum of this nature should be strengthened to harness the views and proposals of African and Asian countries to promote the vital interests of developing nations in both continents.
He expressed appreciation of the active participation of Senegal in the work of the Group of 15 of which Sri Lanka is at present the Chair.