SL welcomes advancement in ARF’S cooperation

Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana, who was in Singapore to attend the 25th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting, has welcomed the steady advancement in the areas of cooperation in the ARF and unreservedly supported the process, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

The ARF Ministerial Meeting was held on August 4 in Singapore. Inaugurated in 1994 in Thailand, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is the principal forum for security dialogue in the Asia-pacific region which seeks to promote regional development and prosperity while recognizing challenges to regional peace, security and prosperity. Delivering Sri Lanka’s statement at the Forum, Foreign Minister Marapana highlighted the important areas of cooperation for Sri Lanka, including maritime security, disaster management, defence related confidence building measures and preventive diplomacy, and for sustaining the growing economic dynamism and prosperity of the region.

Foreign Minister Marapana held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the ARF with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Brunei, Lao PDR and Cambodia, and discussed on areas of mutual interest.

The Sri Lanka delegation included the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Singapore and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Marapana highlighted the important areas of cooperation for Sri Lanka, including maritime security, disaster management, defence related confidence building measures and preventive diplomacy, and for sustaining the growing economic dynamism and prosperity of the region.