Foreign Ministers pledge to further develop Lanka-Iran ties

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and visiting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahia held a joint press briefing this evening where they outlined the nature of the discussions that took place between the two sides. 

Mr Sabry said he had an "extensive and comprehensive discussion" at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to Dr. Abdollahia's meetings with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. 

Relations between the two countries have been excellent and there is immense potential for further cooperation in multi-faceted areas, said Mr Sabry. "During our discussion today, we addressed key areas of mutual interest, including political, economic and cultural collaboration," he added. 

He thanked the Iranian government for the support it had extended for Sri Lanka's debt restructuring process following last year’s economic crisis. He also noted that the Iranian government extended a loan of USD 50 million to the Uma Oya multi-purpose development project. Once Uma Oya is commissioned, it will serve 55% of Sri Lanka’s electricity need at a lowest cost of all operations in Sri Lanka, said the Foreign Minister. 

He noted that the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries on the settlement of outstanding payments from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to the National Iranian Oil Company is being successfully implemented, facilitating the export of Ceylon Tea to Iran. 

Dr. Abdollahia meanwhile, said he had a very positive and result-oriented discussion with Minister Sabry and Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry officials. 

"There’s huge potential on both sides to further develop relations between the two countries in every possible field of mutual interest," said the Iranian Foreign Minister. 

He added that the two sides also to an agreement to hold the next round of the joint economic commission meeting of the two countries as soon as possible. He further said that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who has been invited to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka, will do so at the right time. 

Both sides also affirmed the legitimate and inalienable rights of the people of Palestine. 

Pix by India Handuwala