UAE praises SL’s role in protecting sea lanes

14 September 2013 01:37 am

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) appreciated Sri Lanka’s role in protecting the security of sea-lanes in the Indian Ocean, and the significant contribution made by the Sri Lanka Navy in controlling people smuggling activities in these waters.

The Sri Lanka External Affairs ministry said in a statement that this was revealed during a meeting between Minister Prof. G.L.Peries and Foreign Minister of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Dubai for bilateral discussions recently.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the international conference organized by the government of the United Arab Emirates and attended by Ministers representing more than 20 maritime nations, on the theme of counter piracy and security of sea lanes.

The Foreign Ministers discussed plans for increased collaboration between Sri Lanka and the UAE on political and economic issues. Minister Peiris thanked Sheikh Abdullah Al Nahyan for the strong support extended to Sri Lanka by the U.A.E. in international fora, and was assured of the U.A.E.’s continuing goodwill and support. Prof. Peiris provided his counterpart with a detailed update on developments in Sri Lanka.