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| Sunday, 30 October 2005 |
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South African High Commissioner to reside here At the First Session of the Senior Officials Meeting of the Bilateral Partnership Forum between Sri Lanka and South Africa held last week, it was announced that South Africa has decided to establish a Resident South African High Commission in Sri Lanka. A Foreign Ministry press release says: South Africa announced its decision to establish a resident South African High Commission in Sri Lanka during the 1st Session of the Senior Officials Meeting of the Bilateral Partnership Forum between Sri Lanka and South Africa on October 24. A diplomatic officer of the South African Department of Foreign Affairs accompanied by an Administrative Staff Officer will arrive, in late October/early November 2005, for this purpose. The Government of Sri Lanka welcomed this decision, as it would lead to a widening and strengthening of bilateral relations. Sri Lanka will provide all necessary facilities to South Africa to have the new Mission functional very early. Wide ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest were held at the Forum in a friendly and cordial atmosphere reflecting the close ties that exist between the two countries. Recognizing the scope available to widen bilateral trade and business, discussions were held on measures to enhance mutually beneficial economic and commercial cooperation. In this regard a Sub-Committee on Trade was established under the framework of the Partnership Forum to discuss issues related to Trade, Investment and Tourism. It was further agreed that this sub-committee would meet at an early date in order to evolve a "Plan of Action". The 1st Session of the Sub-committee on Trade will be held in Pretoria. The need to negotiate and sign a new Air Services Agreement was considered essential in view of the expanding ties between the two countries. To this extent the South African side invited a delegation from Sri Lanka to Pretoria in the first quarter of 2006 to conduct air services talks. A proposal made by Sri Lanka to sign a MOU between Sri Lanka and South Africa for closer cooperation in the area of Tourism, was also welcomed by the South African side. The Partnership Forum also discussed cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology, Education and Culture. Agreement on a Cultural Exchange Programme, which would formalize the exchange of cultural troupes, youth teams, experts, and encourage film festivals, drama, etc., will be concluded. Both sides agreed that it was important for bilateral visits to be conducted on a more regular basis. Reiterating the importance of continuing regular ties, the meeting decided that the 2nd Session of the Partnership Forum would be held next year (2006) in South Africa. The visiting delegation also called on Mr. H. M. G. S. Palihakkara, Secretary, Foreign Affairs and Dr. J. C. B. Dhanapala, Secretary General, SCOPP at the Foreign Ministry to discuss current developments in Sri Lanka and the Peace Process. The South African delegation pledged the support of the South African Government to Sri Lanka's efforts in finding a negotiated political solution to the ethnic problem. The bilateral discussions were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
Colombo. Mrs. Geetha de Silva, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs led the Sri Lanka delegation while the South African delegation was
led by Dr. A. Sooklal, Deputy Director General/Asia and Middle East Division
of the South African Department of Foreign Affairs. |
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