Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan to improve relations

Saturday, 12 May 2012 01:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka is to strengthen ties with Kazakhstan with Cabinet approving the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries during an upcoming formal visit, a Government spokesman said on Thursday.

On a proposal made by External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Cabinet has given its approval to sign a MoU with the Republic of Kazakhstan during his proposed visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said.

The objective of the proposed MoU is to further strengthen and consolidate the close relationship between Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan by reviewing at an annual meeting, the political, economic, trade, scientific and cultural cooperation as well as issues of mutual interests in the international arena.

“There will be special focus on trade ties between the two countries,” noted Abeywardana.

Since the end of its three-decade conflict in 2009, Sri Lanka has concentrated on increasing ties with a wider range of countries to promote mutual interests. However, this is the first concentrated move to have stronger ties with Kazakhstan.