Spain seeks Lanka’s support for UN seat; to set up Colombo mission

Tuesday, 9 September 2014 01:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia was in Colombo, Sri Lanka last week to lobby support for Spain’s bid for a seat at the UN Security Council in 2015. “As far as I know at this moment we have the oral backing of Sri Lanka,” Jose Manuel Garcia told journalists after the talks. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris was less forthcoming. “We will give the Spanish request every consideration and make our decision. Spain is a friendly country and we will consider their request very carefully and then make our decision,” he said. Garcia also announced that Spain would set up an embassy in Colombo and help Sri Lanka attract tourists from Spain and the African continent.