Foreign Minister Samaraweera concludes fruitful Brussels tour

Friday, 30 January 2015 00:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera concluded a two-day official visit to Brussels yesterday. Foreign Minister Samaraweera met Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Reynders and members of the European Parliament. He also held talks with the European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, and the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica.

Discussions focused on strengthening Sri Lanka’s relations with the European Union and Belgium, the steps Sri Lanka has taken and will take to comply with international fishing regulations and the process of re-qualifying for GSP+ tariff concessions. During the fruitful meetings, the European Commission offered Sri Lanka assistance in meeting the regulatory requirements that would enable an early lifting of the ban on fish exports to the EU and displayed strong interest in expanding socio-economic ties and development programs. Minister Samaraweera was accompanied by Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Nimal Hettiarachchi, and former Ambassador to the EU, P.M. Amza.