President Rajapaksa has said that terrorism is a threat to the collective security of all nations, in whatever form it is prevalent, in any part of the world. The President was addressing the Third BIMSTEC Summit in Myanmar.
BIMSTEC, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral, Technical and Economic Cooperation is a regional grouping comprising seven South and Southeast Asian countries. The member countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The first BIMSTEC Summit was held in Bangkok, Thailand in the year 2004, while the second was in New Delhi, India. Its Chairman is the President of Myanmar Thein Sein. The Summit opened at Nay Pyi Taw this morning under his patronage.
Addressing the BIMSTEC Summit, President Rajapaksa said that as a founder member, Sri Lanka is dedicated to the BIMSTEC process. The President recalled the cooperation extended by BIMSTEC at a time when the entire world had to take action against terrorism and crime.
The President said although terrorism is no more in Sri Lankan shores, there is a need to ensure that it would never raise its ugly head again. Eternal vigilance therefore is vital, particularly as terrorist organizations have extensive international networks. Undoubtedly, the cooperative spirit which exists within the Grouping on addressing this issue will continue. He said terrorism, wherever in the world, in whatever form or manifestation, is a threat to the collective security of all nations.
It is encouraging to note that BIMSTEC has broadened its scope to many other areas of collaboration. When the entire world is compelled to deal with terrorism and trans-national crimes, cooperation on this issue has been continuing since 2004. As a country that had suffered from terrorism, for nearly three decades, we in Sri Lanka are acutely aware of its human and economic costs. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka’s economy could not run at its true potential during those years. With the defeat of terrorism, the Sri Lankan economy has been consistently recording, a growth rate of seven percent.
President Rajapaksa was confident that the incoming Chair, Nepal, will continue to diligently guide the Group and further consolidate partnership and collaboration within BIMSTEC.
While pledging Sri Lanka’s unstinted cooperation in BIMSTEC activities, the President wished the deliberations at the Summit, all success.
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