The Foreign Ministers of Sri Lanka and the Philippines agreed on Friday, January 22 to focus on new strategies to strengthen the existing economic, political, social and international relations between the two countries.
The agreement was reached during a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and his Filipino counterpart Teodoro L. Locsin to congratulate the Government of the Philippines on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
During the conversation the two ministers discussed the setting up of an Embassy of the Philippines in Sri Lanka and commencing flights between the two countries.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines has agreed to share their best practices in securing many employment opportunities for Filipino workers in foreign countries and further, he agreed to identify the methods available and to assist Sri Lanka in this endeavour.
During the talks, both parties agreed to work together in the manufacturing and services sector and to provide greater opportunities for the exchange of views between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries.
Minister Gunawardena expressed the gratitude of the Government of Sri Lanka to the Government of the Philippines for its support over the past 60 years in maintaining friendly diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.