31 January 2022 07:34 am Views - 159
EU Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific Gabriele Visentin emphasised the importance of engagement between the European Union and Sri Lanka on the Indo-Pacific strategy.
At a two day conference, he underscored the thematic content of the EU Indo-Pacific Strategy launched in September 2021, highlighting its relevance for further engagement between the EU and Sri Lanka. He outlined the way in which a multilateral approach would guarantee stability through the strengthening of international rule-based order.
He further stated that seven priority areas for cooperation have been identified; such as, sustainable and economic prosperity, green transition, ocean governance, digital governance and partnerships, connectivity and security and defence.
The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives hosted a half-day conference on the theme, “The EU Indo-Pacific Strategy through Sri Lanka’s Lens: Opportunities for Cooperation and Partnership” last Thursday.
The event supported by the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation was organised on the occasion of the visit of the EU Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific Gabriele Visentin to Sri Lanka.
Executive Director of LKI, Dr. D.L. Mendis warmly welcomed the participants who attended this conference and said that a rule-based order will protect small States and make International Law the language of International Relations. Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, H.E. Denis Chaibi made the opening remarks and referred to the connections between Europe and Sri Lanka.
External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L Peiris outlined the importance of multilateralism, inclusivity and rule-based order.
The conference brought together local and international experts to discuss the EU strategy and its implications in three thematic areas, namely; (i) Sri Lanka’s and EU’s positioning within geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific, chaired by the Foreign Minister, Prof. G.L. Peiris, (ii) Trade, Connectivity and Green Recovery as Strategic Tools: Challenges and Opportunities for Sri Lanka and the EU, chaired by the Foreign Secretary, Adm. Prof. Jayanath Colombage, (iii) EU and Sri Lanka Efforts for Sustainable Ocean Governance, chaired by the Executive Director of LKI, Dr. D. L. Mendis. The three-panel discussions were followed by respective Q & A sessions.