Colombo Gazette
May 10, 2014
Sri Lanka supports Vietnam’s stance on demanding China adhere to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and withdraw its drilling rig HD-981 out of Viet Nam’s sovereignty and exclusive economic zone, the Vietnam Prime Minister’s office said.
Sri Lanka’ PM D.M. Jayaratne made the statement at a reception given by PM Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday (May 9), regarding the East Sea issue.
He proposed dealing with the issue by peaceful measures on the basis of the international law.
The host leader affirmed that Viet Nam will do its utmost to work with Sri Lanka to make the two nations’ relations more efficient.
He welcomed Sri Lanka’s delegation led by PM D.M. Jayaratne to the United Nations Day of Vesak in Viet Nam and praised the country on its achievements over the past years.
He suggested the two nations support each other at multi-lateral forums, boost economic, trade and tourism cooperation, sign a bilateral agreement on trade and a cooperative plan between the two nations’ Ministries of Finance as well as set up a sub-committee on commerce.
The Vietnamese PM expects that Sri Lanka will create favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to launch long-term operation in its nation.
PM D.M. Jayaratne also confirmed that his country expects to cooperate with Viet Nam in crime prevention, realizing ethnic policies, science and technology.
Lanka backs Vietnam over China | Colombo Gazette