EU delegation engages in Counter Terrorism Dialogue with Sri Lankan officials

EU Counter Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove engaged in a Dialogue on Counter Terrorism Cooperation with Sri Lankan officials between July 11 and 16, the Foreign Ministry said.

Matters concerning countering radicalisation, extremism, and security cooperation had been discussed during the dialogue which had been chaired by Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Ahmed Jaward.

Both parties had discussed sharing information, expertise and technical information while also developing mutual cooperation between security and law enforcement bodies of Sri Lanka and the EU.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Mr Kerchove had visited Sri Lanka upon a request made by Foreign Minister Thilak Marapana to Vice President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini during the 22nd Joint Commission meeting in Brussels in February.

The EU’s four-member delegation, during its stay in Sri Lanka, also called on the President, Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, Defence Secretary and other officials.

EU's Ambassador to Sri Lanka Tung-lai Margue, Head of Counter Terrorism Division of the European External Action Services (EEAS), John Gatte-Rutter and Deputy Head of the South Asia Division of the EEAS Ivo Schutte accompanied the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.