Sri Lanka, UAE advancing bilateral relations in multiple domains

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is keen to strengthen bilateral relations with Sri Lanka across multiple domains, the Gulf state’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said when he met Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday in Colombo.

The UAE Minister arrived in Sri Lanka as a part of his Asian Tour. State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake received Sheikh Abdullah at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

During his visit, the Minister paid courtesy calls on President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and had bilateral discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana.

During the meeting with the Prime Minister, Sheikh Abdullah conveyed the UAE’s keenness to strengthen relations with Sri Lanka,

The two sides discussed ways of advancing bilateral relations and reviewed issues of common interest and the latest regional and international developments of mutual concern.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe stressed Sri Lanka’s determination to boost cooperation between the two nations to a higher level, expressing his appreciation of the diverse enterprises being implemented by the UAE in Sri Lanka and the care and good treatment received by Sri Lankans living and working in the UAE.

The Sri Lankan Premier lauded the great strides made by the UAE across different domains over the past few years.

Matters related to political affairs, trade and investment opportunities between Sri Lanka and the UAE and an array of regional and international issues of common concern were discussed during the bilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of both countries.

The ministers agreed on several initiatives to strengthen cultural cooperation and employment prospects for Sri Lankan workers in the UAE, which will further expand relations between the two countries.

Minister Marapana stressed Sri Lanka’s determination to boost cooperation between the two nations to a higher level, noting that Sri Lanka was paying special attention to areas of common interest between the UAE and Sri Lanka, particularly in the fields of politics, economics and food security.

The Sri Lankan Minister invited the UAE investors to invest in Sri Lanka, especially in infrastructure projects which will support Sri Lanka’s endeavours to emerge as a maritime hub in the Indian Ocean.

The two ministers decided to hold the second round of meetings of the Sri Lanka-UAE Joint Commission next year in Colombo, which will be a platform to resolve several issues related to Sri Lankan domestic workers in the UAE, and discussed areas of economic cooperation including enhanced market access to value-added Sri Lankan products in the UAE.

Minister Marapana confirmed that Sri Lanka would also participate in EXPO 2020 in Dubai from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021.

The ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Joint Committee for Consular Affairs, and an Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance on Customs Matters.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake and Ambassador of the UAE to Sri Lanka Abdul Hamid Abdul Fattah Kazim Al Mulla also attended the meeting.

UAE keen to support joint development projects with Sri Lanka 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is visiting Sri Lanka, called on President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s Official Residence on 18 November.

Welcoming the UAE minister, President Sirisena expressed his happiness over the rapid progress of the relationships between the two countries and highlighted Sri Lanka’s keenness to strengthen relations with the UAE in various fields.

He also praised the UAE’s achievements in terms of a comprehensive cultural renaissance, thanks to the UAE’s vision and wise leadership.

During the meeting, the President and the UAE Foreign Minister discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and develop joint cooperation between the two countries and exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common concern.

Minister Sheikh Abdullah emphasised the importance of enhancing economic cooperation and developing investment opportunities between the two sides and supporting joint projects that achieve the development objectives of both countries.

The UAE Minister conveyed the greetings of his country’s President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other top leaders and their wishes for continued progress and prosperity.

The Sri Lankan President extended his greetings to President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and wished the UAE further development and progress.

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Sarath Amunugama, ambassadors of both countries and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE participated in the meeting.