Prof. Peiris calls for further cooperation from Iran, Vietnam

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on Wednesday (8) received Iranian Ambassador Hashem Ashjazadeh and Vietnamese Ambassador in Colombo Ho Thi Thanh Truc separately. Prof. Peiris called for enhanced cooperation with both countries.

Over the past two weeks Prof. Peiris received top Colombo based envoys after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa brought him back as the foreign minister. The one-time top law academic served as foreign minister during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second term.

Prof. G.L. Peiris has sought greater economic cooperation with Iran, including enhanced bilateral trade, investment and the possibilities of cooperation in new sectors, such as tourism and energy.

In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Peiris highlighted the long standing friendly relations between Sri Lanka and Iran which have a proud legacy of two ancient and great civilizations. In recent years, the bilateral relations have been reinvigorated by the exchange of high level visits that have contributed to closer cooperation and coordination, both at the bilateral level as well as in the international arena.

The Foreign Minister conveyed the Sri Lanka Government’s appreciation for the steadfast support extended by the Islamic Republic of Iran during the Human Rights Council sessions held in Geneva and at other multilateral fora.

Ambassador Ashjazadeh extended his warm felicitations to Minister Peiris on his appointment as the Foreign Minister and assured the firm commitment and support of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the expansion of bilateral cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka.

While recalling that the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries took place in 2020, Foreign Minister Peiris appreciated the mutually beneficial partnership existing between Sri Lanka and VietNam, and reiterated the country’s interest to further strengthen cooperation in political, economic and cultural spheres. He also recalled regular high-level interactions between the two countries, including the official visit ofPresident Mahinda Rajapaksa to VietNam in 2009.

Ambassador Truc elaborated on the multifaceted nature of ongoing cooperation between Sri Lanka and VietNam drawing attention to political ties at all levels, as well as cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, fisheries, science and technology, education, culture, among other spheres.

Minister Peiris expressed his deep appreciation for the support extended to Sri Lanka by Viet Nam in international fora and welcomed collaboration in areas of mutual interest.