The Second Round of Political Consultations between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Türkiye was held on Tuesday (05) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye in Ankara, reflecting the shared commitment of both nations to further deepen cooperation based on mutual respect, shared values, and common interests.
According to a statement from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the consultations were co-chaired by the Director General of the Europe and North America Division of the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sugeeshwara Gunaratna and the Director General for South Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Ambassador Cihad Erginay.
Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining regular political dialogue to review progress and identify new avenues for collaboration, building on the strong historical foundations of bilateral relations.
During the consultations, the two delegations engaged in comprehensive and forward-looking discussions covering a wide spectrum of areas, including bilateral political relations, trade and economic cooperation, defence collaboration, connectivity and maritime affairs, education, science and technology, and regional and multilateral issues.
Opportunities for expanding investments and joint ventures were also explored, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, tourism, logistics, and technology.
Sri Lanka expressed its sincere appreciation for the humanitarian assistance extended by the Government of Türkiye in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, and both sides discussed avenues for further cooperation in reconstruction and development initiatives.
The consultations also noted the steady progress in defence and security cooperation, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening institutional linkages and capacity-building efforts.
Discussions further focused on enhancing connectivity and maritime cooperation, including leveraging existing direct air links between Istanbul and Colombo and exploring collaboration in maritime services and the blue economy.
Both sides also highlighted the importance of advancing cooperation in higher education, vocational training, and scientific research, including the early finalization of pending bilateral agreements.
The two delegations exchanged views on regional and global developments, including developments in West Asia, South Asia, and the Indian Ocean region, and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely within the United Nations and other multilateral fora on issues of mutual interest. Both sides reiterated their adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and multilateral cooperation.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry points out that the successful convening of the Second Round of Political Consultations reflects the strong political will on both sides to elevate bilateral relations to new heights, guided by a shared vision of sustainable development, regional stability, and mutual prosperity. (Newswire)