Minister Peiris briefs EU team on development

Three Members of the European Parliament’s (MEP) Delegation for Relations with Countries of South Asia called on the External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris on 30 April.

The Delegation discussed with the Minister issues of interest to the European Parliament, which included the follow up and implementation of the recommendations contained in the LLRC Report.

The Minister briefed the delegation on the developments in this regard and as well as on the development work undertaken by the Government in the North and the East which has contributed to the economic empowerment of the people.

Other issues of bilateral interest to Sri Lanka and the EU were also discussed such as trade relations, human rights, fisheries and climate change. The EP delegation will also travel to the Eastern Province, where they are scheduled to meet the Governor/Eastern Province and visit EU funded projects. In Colombo, they will also call on the Speaker of Parliament and the Leader of the House, President of the Sri Lanka-EU Parliamentary Friendship Association, Minister of Economic Development, Leader of the SLMC, Leader of the Opposition, and Secretary of Defence and Urban Development.

The visiting MEPs include Jean Lambert of UK (Greens Party/UK) Chair of the Delegation for Relations with Countries of South Asia and head of the delegation to Sri Lanka, Fernando Lopez Aguilar (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats/Spain) and Inese Vaidere (European People’s Party/Latvia).