Sri Lanka discusses further cooperation with the EU
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has reportedly met the Colombo-based senior diplomatic representation of the European Union (EU) recently in a bid to further strengthen ties.
During the meeting, the Foreign Minister had apprised the EU Ambassadors on political and economic developments in Sri Lanka.
According to reports, the Minister has further updated the envoys on the ongoing processes, including the constitutional reform process, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and on progress related to the implementation of reconciliation mechanisms, amongst other issues.
The interactive meeting had also entailed a discussion on EU-Sri Lanka cooperation, including trade, investment and development cooperation, and plans underway to convene the scheduled Sri Lanka-EU Joint Commission Sub-Committees following the convening of the 23rd Meeting of the Sri Lanka-EU Joint Commission in January.
Measures in place for the revival of tourism in Sri Lanka in the COVID-19 /post-COVID-19 context and the Government’s health protocols related to quarantine had also been among the topics discussed.
French Ambassador Eric Lavertu, Italian Ambassador Rita Mannella, the Chargé d’Affaires of Romania Ambassador Victor Chiujdea, as well as the Deputy Heads of the Missions of Germany, the Netherlands and the EU mission representatives had participated in the meeting.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka enjoys the EU GSP Plus trade facility that has helped boost the country’s exports sector. The island is fast becoming a business hub in the South Asian region given its geographical positioning in the Indian ocean and the many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed by the country. The dialogue between Sri Lanka and the EU would definitely result in the further expansion of trade/investment/tourism opportunities in Sri Lanka. EU businesses/investors could therefore confidently explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka while local businesses could look at forming business partnerships/joint ventures with European businesses.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20210422/Z_2 |