Intense week for German-Sri Lankan relations

• Marking the end of the two-day Regional German Ambassadors’ Conference “Indian Ocean”

The first ever Regional German Ambassadors’ Conference, Indian Ocean was held on 5 and 6 April. 

In the inaugural event Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and State Secretary Dr. Markus Ederer from the Foreign Office addressed the gathering followed by a discussion with ministers from Indonesia and Oman on the challenges arising from the growing geopolitical importance of the Indian Ocean region. More than 40 German Envoys from the Indian Ocean region officials from the German Foreign Office led by State Secretary Dr. Markus Ederer participated in this event.

On 6 April, the Business Forum was inaugurated by Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva and Clas Neumann, Senior Vice President and Head of SAP Labs Network with the presence of over 40 German business leaders. The participants discussed the potential for infrastructure projects and the development of blue economy in the region. A visit to the Colombo harbour on 6 April – where the delegates were received by Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga – underlined Sri Lanka’s potential in the global maritime economy. In the evening Prime Minister Wickremesinghe accompanied by Minister of International Trade Malik Samarawickrama spoke to the delegates about Sri Lanka’s ambition to be a hub  for the region and discussed possibilities for German investors in Sri Lanka. State Secretary Dr. Ederer underlined the growing bilateral trade between the two countries and mentioned the intention to soon open a German Chamber of Commerce office in Colombo.

Furthermore bilateral consultations were held on 6 April. The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Mangala Samaraweera and the German side was led by State Secretary of Germany Dr. Markus Ederer. Both sides stressed the excellent state of relations and confirmed their support for a rules based order for the Indian Ocean region.