Sri Lanka has joined a pledge backed by the European Union (EU) to safeguard freedom of navigation through international waterways and oppose unlawful tolls, fees, discriminatory restrictions and other barriers to maritime traffic.
The pledge was announced on October 12, 2026, by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President Kaja Kallas. It aims to ensure open waterways and uphold international maritime law.
According to the EU, the initiative reaffirms the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which establishes the legal framework for activities in the world’s oceans and seas.
The EU noted that disruptions to major maritime routes could have far-reaching effects on international trade, energy supplies, global supply chains and food security.
It also cautioned that restrictions, discriminatory practices or other obstacles to lawful passage through straits used for international navigation could create a concerning precedent for global maritime security.
As part of the pledge, participating countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation through international and regional organisations, particularly the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to promote maritime governance, safety and security.
They have also committed to opposing coercive unilateral actions that undermine international maritime law, including unlawful tolls, fees, prior authorisation requirements and discriminatory measures that hinder lawful navigation.
The EU also reiterated its support for defensive and non-escalatory multilateral efforts to preserve freedom of navigation.
The pledge has the backing of all EU Member States and 34 countries around the world, including Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Korea, Oman and the Philippines.
