Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry appreciated Swedish support within the Paris Club, during the IMF negotiations with Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s Minister made these remarks at a meeting with his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billström on the sidelines of 2nd EU – Indo-Pacific Forum held in Stockholm.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry during his visit to Stockholm to participate in the 2nd EU – Indo-Pacific Forum, had cordial bilateral discussions with his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billström, committing to strengthening engagement in all spheres of the bilateral relationship.
While recalling the decades-old, multi-faceted, partnership between the two countries and peoples, the two ministers agreed to suitably commemorate in 2024, the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations, which were established in 1949.
Ministers Sabry and Billström discussed all areas which straddle the long-standing engagement, including the political, economic, and development spheres.
The two ministers placed a strong emphasis on economic cooperation between the two countries and agreed to work together in several areas, including investment, trade, IT, climate, and the environment.
Discussions on the economic relations focused on improving trade, diversifying production bases for Swedish supply chains, and further enhancing business linkages in the IT sector, manufacturing, tourism, and investment, particularly taking into account Sri Lanka’s strategic location and the emergence of the financial hub within the Colombo Port City. He also spoke of the opportunities for diversification of supply sources for Swedish and global supply chains.
The Sri Lankan Minister also briefed the Swedish side on the progress made in the reconciliation process, including the significant steps taken on judicial and legislative reform, and release of land, and highlighted the importance of economic advancement, and livelihood sustenance in the process. Discussions also focused on early the convening of the bilateral political consultations.
The two Ministers also exchanged views on international developments, including their impact on economic stability and progress in different parts of the world.
At the second EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum Minister Sabry co-moderated the 1st roundtable discussion on “Building more sustainable & inclusive prosperity together” and will continue his bilateral consultations with several other visiting European and Asian countries on the sidelines of the main forum.
