Sri Lanka ceasefire opens road to lasting peace - Lavrov.

23/7 Tass 233

PHUKET, July 23 (Itar-Tass) - Sri Lanka's ceasefire opens the road to
ensuring lasting peace on the island, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov said at the talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Rohitha
Bogollagama on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum on the Thai
island of Phuket.

"The Russian diplomat welcomed the ceasefire to the armed conflict in
Sri Lanka that lasted for over 25 years and expressed the hope that this
step would open the road to ensuring durable peace, security and stability
on the island on the basis of interethnic consent and respect for the
rights of all ethnic and religious groups residing in the country," an
official from the Russian delegation said. "Rohitha Bogollagama on behalf
of the Sri Lankan authorities expressed gratitude to the Russian side for
such position."
The ministers discussed "prospects for strengthening bilateral
cooperation and confirmed their mutual intention to maintain cooperation
in the fight against terrorism and extremism, including that within the
framework of regional and international organizations," the official said.
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