Wednesday, 27 November 2013 00:00
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External Affairs Minister Professor G. L. Peiris and Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Pham Binh Minh reached agreement on the principal areas for collaboration between Sri Lanka and Vietnam: preferential trading arrangement, technology transfer and investment opportunities in areas such as ICT, agriculture and aquaculture, tourism and aviation, exchanges between educational institutions and cooperation at international fora.
At bilateral talks held at the External Affairs Ministry in Colombo yesterday, Prof. Peiris highlighted the significant progress made since the visit by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Vietnam in 2009 and the reciprocal visit undertaken by President Truong Tan Sang of Vietnam to Sri Lanka in 2011.
He called on the Deputy Prime Minister to widen the scope of bilateral relations by fully utilising several mechanisms already in operation such as the Joint Economic Commission, the Joint Agricultural Cooperation Committee and the envisaged setting up of a Joint Working Group to discuss a preferential trading arrangement.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh agreeing with the sentiments expressed by Minister Peiris, congratulated Sri Lanka on the successful hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and becoming Chair of the Commonwealth for the next two years.
He also commended the significant achievements Sri Lanka has made with regard to economic and social development as well as reconciliation since the eradication of terrorism four years ago.
The ministers vowed to continue to work closely in partnership with their counterparts in further enhancing the vibrant bilateral agenda of the two countries.
