Berlin: President Maithripala Sirisena, who is on a three-day State visit to Germany, met the German Chancellor Angela Merkel Wednesday at the German Federal Chancellery in Berlin.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the President with a Guard of Honour at a special ceremony held at the Chancellery.

Subsequently, Chancellor Merkel and President Sirisena held bilateral discussions. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, especially focusing on promoting the economic and trade activities.

During discussions German Chancellor has assured to send a high level business delegation including the Economic Affairs Minister of Germany to explore opportunities to improve economic investments and trade relations between Germany and Sri Lanka.

Sirisena briefed about the issue of the kidney disease in Sri Lanka and sought assistance over the kidney disease prevention activities. The Chancellor agreed to extend the assistance for research on the issue and assured assistance for purification of water.

Dr. Merkel, expressing her satisfaction about the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka, pledged the assistance of the Government of Germany for the welfare of the northern people. The German Chancellor expressed her willingness to grant funds for the improvement of fields of vocational training and renewable energy in Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the ban imposed on Sri Lankan fish exports to Europe, Dr. Merkel said a committee had been appointed to investigate that matter. She said action would be taken according to the report by the committee.

When President Sirisena requested the assistance to regain GSP+ to Sri Lanka, the German Chancellor said she would look into its possibility.

The President invited the German Chancellor to make a visit to Sri Lanka and she accepted the invitation.

Ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Ravi Karunanayake, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Daya Gamage and Malik Samarawickrama and the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Germany Karunathilaka Amunugama also were present at the discussions.

SL, Germany sign Joint Declaration 

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and German Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier signed a joint declaration of intent regarding cooperation on cultural relations and education policy in Berlin yesterday. The joint declaration of intent include plans to explore increased opportunities for language learning, training to improve the quality and quantity of vocational training, joint research into kidney disease, providing mobile library facilities for those in remote areas and academic exchange.