Sri Lanka and New Zealand launch Foreign Ministry consultations
The first round of Foreign Ministry consultations between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was held yesterday.
Following is a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Media release
Sri Lanka and New Zealand have initiated Foreign Ministry consultations
The first round of Foreign Ministry consultations between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was held on 08 April 2021. The meeting was chaired by Rohana Ambagolla, Response Director General, East Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Andrew Neats, Regional Manager, South and Southeast Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commerce, New Zealand.
A wide range of issues of mutual interest were discussed. It covered a wide range of issues, including trade, development cooperation, security, people-to-people exchanges, and enhancing cooperation in many areas, from education to sports and tourism. The two countries agreed to finalize bilateral arrangements for the establishment of a constructive mechanism to enhance trade and economic cooperation and enhance bilateral exchanges in all areas of engagement. The need to strengthen participation in issues of interest shared in the international arena was also discussed.
Sri Lanka has welcomed the opening of the New Zealand High Commission in Colombo at the end of this year, as an important milestone in diplomatic relations between the two countries, enabling them to travel considerable distance in expanding significant ties between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
New Zealand was represented by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Commerce and diplomats from the Sri Lankan High Commission in Canberra, which is also authorized to New Zealand, while Sri Lanka was represented by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commerce and the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to New Zealand.
Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and New Zealand were established in 1955 and the launch of Foreign Ministry consultations has provided an excellent platform for reviewing and expanding bilateral participation between the two countries.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
