Sri Lanka and Mauritania sign agreement to establish Joint Commission on Cooperation

Saturday, 15 November 2014 00:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka and Mauritania signed an agreement yesterday to establish a Joint Commission on Cooperation to further strengthen relations between the two countries. The signing took place following bilateral talks between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz at the President’s Office last afternoon. During the meeting between the two Presidents, Mauritania requested Sri Lanka’s expertise and assistance in developing a number of sectors, including mining, health, vocational training, fisheries and agriculture. Pointing out the advancements Sri Lanka has made in all these areas, President Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka is more than happy to assist in keeping with its overall policy of enhancing relations with Africa. “We have been taking measures to strengthen our relations in Africa,” President Rajapaksa said. President Aziz is visiting Sri Lanka on transit to Brisbane, Australia, to attend the G-20 Summit. Mauritania, the 2014 chair of the African Union has been invited to attend the G-20 Summit as a guest country. President Rajapaksa welcoming the guest’s short visit invited President Aziz to return to Sri Lanka for an official visit to further the relations between the two countries. Despite the geographical distance between the two nations, President Aziz said: “There is a great potential for our two countries to work together. We’re looking forward to a longer visit. (We) like to strengthen and consolidate our relations.” Sri Lanka established formal diplomatic relations with Mauritania on 21 December 2012, following a Cabinet decision in 2012 to establish diplomatic relations with 15 African countries. The Sri Lanka Embassy in Egypt is concurrently accredited to Mauritania. The two countries already share good relations, with Mauritania having consistently supported Sri Lanka in international forums, including at the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2012 and 2013, despite facing external pressure. Pointing out that many countries have gone through and continue to go through the type of difficulties Sri Lanka has faced, particularly with the terrorist war, President Aziz commended President Rajapaksa for overcoming them. During the meeting the two countries signed an Agreement for the Establishment of a Joint Commission on Cooperation and an Agreement on Bilateral Political Consultations. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris signed the agreements on behalf of Sri Lanka while Mauritanian Minister of Economic Affairs and Development Sidi Tah signed for Mauritania. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Senior Minister of Urban Affairs A.H.M. Fowzie, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Development Rajitha Senaratne, Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion Faiszer Mustapha, President’s Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath and Additional Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Chitranganee Wagiswara were also present.

Sri Lanka signs MOU with Spain for closer cooperation on key areas

Sri Lanka has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Spain for collaboration between the Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain. The MOU aims to strengthen existing bilateral relations and enhance cooperation between the two nations in several key areas. The agreement stipulates cooperation in the areas of combating terrorism and transnational organized crime, water, sanitation and hygiene, renewable energy, agricultural and environmental policies, sustainable tourism, educational and cultural exchanges, cooperation in institution building as well as multilateral cooperation within the Framework of the United Nations. Cabinet has given approval to the Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris to take appropriate action to implement the agreement.