Visit to Venezuela by State Minister of Foreign Affairs

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake at a discussion with President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro during his recent visit to Venezuela

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake paid an official visit to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from 3 to 6 October, on the invitation of the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela Ruben Dario Molina, with a view to renewing and promoting closer co-operation between the two countries.

During the visit, Senanayake held bilateral meetings with the Vice Minister of Venezuela on 4 October at the Yellow House ‘Antonio José de Sucre’, where they continued earlier discussions on the bilateral relationship of the two countries. The ministers exchanged views on the bilateral relationship and on new areas including agriculture, textiles, sports and tourism. In order to enhance co-operation, they agreed to establish a mechanism for regular political consultations. It was also agreed to consider signing an agreement for the exemption of visa requirements between the two countries to facilitate travel and to promote people-to-people contact and tourism. The Venezuelan Minister emphasised the need to intensify engagement through the exchange of high-level visits and business delegations. He proposed that the Sri Lankan apparel industry be expanded to Venezuela, similar to Sri Lanka’s entry to the industries in Honduras, Dominican Republic and Haiti.

The State Minister also had a meeting with the Minister of the People’s Power for Tourism and Foreign Trade of Venezuela Félix Plasencia, where Senanayake briefed him on the present developments in Sri Lanka. Plasencia explained the responsibilities of Venezuela towards other countries in the Latin American region. The State Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s willingness to help develop the gem industry in Venezuela by bringing Sri Lankan lapidarists to provide technical know-how. 

State Minister Senanayake also had a meeting with Minister of the People’s Power for Youth and Sports of Venezuela Pedro Infante, as well as the Deputy Minister of Sports, the Deputy Minister of Youth and several other officials. During the meeting State Minister Senanayake proposed a youth exchange program between the two countries and stated that Sri Lanka facilitates such programs with several countries. The Venezuelan side agreed to send a proposal on the exchange of youth delegations.

During the visit, Senanayake also paid a courtesy call to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. During the call, President Maduro suggested that the two countries explore ways to strengthen the relationship with Sri Lanka, to which the State Minister agreed and conveyed the best wishes of President Maithripala Sirisena to the President, the Government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. 

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Cuba A.L Ratnapala, also concurrently accredited to Venezuela, was associated with State Minister Senanayake during the discussions.