Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has engaged in discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting underway in Malaysia.
According to a Foreign Ministry statement, the two state officials yesterday discussed pressing issues on Lankan–Russian relations and collaboration on international platforms.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed his gratitude for Sri Lanka’s communication sent in October of last year, which articulated Sri Lanka’s interest in closer alignment with BRICS. He said Russia welcomes this step and stands ready to support a consensus on the matter unequivocally.
Minister Lavrov further noted that Sri Lanka has long been a trusted partner of Russia in South Asia. He acknowledged the deep and positive historical trajectory of bilateral relations and expressed a commitment to advancing the relationship further as a model for future collaboration.
Responding, Minister Vijitha Herath thanked the Russian Federation for its longstanding friendship and consistent support for Sri Lanka, especially during critical times of need. He appreciated Russia’s historical ties with Sri Lanka and affirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to deepening cooperation across multiple sectors. (Newswire)