Sl-south Africa to enhance security cooperation

The delegations of Sri Lanka and South Africa had discussed further strengthening cooperation in security, maritime issues and migration, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said yesterday.

Strengthening bilateral trade and investment and political relations through the exchange of high level visits had also been discussed.

Issuing a statement, the Ministry said discussions were held at the Seventh Session of the Sri Lanka-south Africa Partnership Forum which was held at the Ministry on October 16.

The Forum also followed up on the progress made in existing areas of cooperation, including education, tourism, wildlife, forestry, fisheries, irrigation, energy, sports, science, technology, and water which had been identified by both countries as priority sectors.

Sri Lanka reiterated its request for favourable access to the South African market. Both sides emphasized the need for an exchange of high level business delegations to strengthen the dialogue with the private sector and to have air connectivity between the two countries.

The Sri Lanka delegation to the Partnership Forum was led by Sumith Na kan dal a, additional Secretary (Bilateral Affairs) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the South African delegation was led by Dr. Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director General (Asia and Middle East) Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

The Eighth Session of the Partnership Forum will be held in Pretoria in 2019.