Short remarks on the Reception Commemorating Pathfinder Indian Ocean Security Conference
2019/3/18
Ambassador's Speech
Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker of Parliament,
Honorable Secretaries,
Your Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening and welcome to my residence.
First, I would like to express sincere appreciation to all the distinguished participants for their valuable contribution at today’s meeting. After a long and intensive discussion during the day, and following the dictum “Life should be long and speech should be short,” I will try to be brief.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As I emphasized in my opening remarks this morning, the Indo-Pacific Oceans should be “Global Commons,” or “international public goods,” which would benefit all the countries, littoral and non-littoral. For this end, we should work together to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific through strengthening the rule of law, especially freedom of navigation, enhancing connectivity through “quality infrastructure”, and maintaining maritime peace and security. In the face of this challenge, a “free and open” exchange of views among eminent individuals or stakeholders from different parts of the world is all the more important and here comes this Pathfinder Foundation’s initiative to convene the Indian Ocean Security Conference in this country in 2020.
We believe that holding this important conference in Sri Lanka has particular significance because of this country’s geographical location at the heart of the Indian Ocean and the prominent role she has played in the promotion of peace and stability of the region. We expect that Sri Lanka will continue to be an active player in a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and Japan remains committed to assisting Sri Lanka in this respect.
Taking this opportunity, I wish to reiterate my heartfelt appreciation to Pathfinder Foundation for its valuable initiative and giving us the opportunity to make humble contribution to its endeavor. And, once again, I would like to thank the International Advisory Group, chaired by Ambassador Shivshankar Menon, for their inspiring contribution, which, I am sure, will make a good basis for the Indian Ocean Security Conference next year.
I hope that this reception will provide good opportunities to strengthen networking among the esteemed guests tonight. I wish you all the best and have a pleasant evening!
Thank you very much.
Honorable Secretaries,
Your Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening and welcome to my residence.
First, I would like to express sincere appreciation to all the distinguished participants for their valuable contribution at today’s meeting. After a long and intensive discussion during the day, and following the dictum “Life should be long and speech should be short,” I will try to be brief.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As I emphasized in my opening remarks this morning, the Indo-Pacific Oceans should be “Global Commons,” or “international public goods,” which would benefit all the countries, littoral and non-littoral. For this end, we should work together to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific through strengthening the rule of law, especially freedom of navigation, enhancing connectivity through “quality infrastructure”, and maintaining maritime peace and security. In the face of this challenge, a “free and open” exchange of views among eminent individuals or stakeholders from different parts of the world is all the more important and here comes this Pathfinder Foundation’s initiative to convene the Indian Ocean Security Conference in this country in 2020.
We believe that holding this important conference in Sri Lanka has particular significance because of this country’s geographical location at the heart of the Indian Ocean and the prominent role she has played in the promotion of peace and stability of the region. We expect that Sri Lanka will continue to be an active player in a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and Japan remains committed to assisting Sri Lanka in this respect.
Taking this opportunity, I wish to reiterate my heartfelt appreciation to Pathfinder Foundation for its valuable initiative and giving us the opportunity to make humble contribution to its endeavor. And, once again, I would like to thank the International Advisory Group, chaired by Ambassador Shivshankar Menon, for their inspiring contribution, which, I am sure, will make a good basis for the Indian Ocean Security Conference next year.
I hope that this reception will provide good opportunities to strengthen networking among the esteemed guests tonight. I wish you all the best and have a pleasant evening!
Thank you very much.