Japanese Foreign Minister Kono to make historic visit to Sri Lanka next week

Thursday, 28 December 2017 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka from 4-6 January 2018.

This is the first time in 15 years that a Japanese Foreign Minister will visit Sri Lanka.

This visit is aimed at further consolidating the “comprehensive partnership” between Japan and Sri Lanka based on previous visits by Sri Lankan leaders, with President Maithripala Sirisena visiting Japan in May 2016, followed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in April 2017.

Strengthening cooperation and collaboration with Sri Lanka is important for the realisation of a free and open Indo-Pacific area based on the rule of law. During his visit, Kono will pay courtesy calls on the President and Prime Minister respectively, as well as have a meeting with Sri Lanka Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana, in order to discuss bilateral relations, regional and international matters, etc.