Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Federative Republic of Brazil, Musthafa Mohamed Jaffeer presented his credentials to His Excellency Mario Abdo Benitez, the President of the Republic of Paraguay, on 23rd April 2019 at the López Palace, in Asunción, the Republic of Paraguay.
At a State ceremonial presentation held at the Presidential Palace, on arrival, the visiting Ambassador was received by Minister-General Director of the State Ceremonial, Ambassador Federico A. Gonzalez and Minister-Head of Military Office of the Presidency of the Republic, General Brigadeiro Roque Alberto Sotelo Chaparro and accorded with an honour guard and a ceremonial welcome by the Presidential Guard. Following that event, Ambassador presented his credential papers to the President at the Ceremonial Independencia Hall of the Presidential Palace where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay, His Excellency Don Luis Alberto Castiglioni, also was present.
At a brief conversation that ensued between President Benitez and Ambassador Jaffeer after the presentation of credentials, the President warmly welcomed the new Ambassador and extended his good wishes for the latter´s successful tenure of office as the non-resident Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Paraguay. Further, President Benitez conveyed his deep sympathies and condolences to the President and the people of Sri Lanka over the loss of lives and injuries caused due to the Easter Sunday terrorist bombings in the country and expressed the solidarity and support of his country with the people of Sri Lanka for the fight against terrorism in all its forms. As regards to the status of bilateral relations, President Benitez also acknowledged the close bilateral and multilateral ties and cooperation that have been nurtured over the years between Paraguay and Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Ambassador while thanking the Paraguayan President for the sentiments and solidarity expressed over the terrible event in the country, briefed the President over the action that have been taken by Sri Lankan authorities to overcome the threat posed to his country. He also underscored the need to further expand the level of bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of trade, technical collaboration, education and sports for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
During his visit to Asunción, the Ambassador also called on His Excellency Don Luis Alberto Castiglioni, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay and discussed ways and means to strengthen bilateral relations and establish cooperation with that country especially in sharing experiences in agriculture, forest conservation, and environmental protection between Sri Lanka and Paraguay. The Sri Lankan Ambassador also held discussions with representative of the Paraguay Chamber of Commerce with a view to forge stronger links among business sectors between the two countries.
Sri Lanka and Paraguay established diplomatic relations in 2009 and the concurrent accreditation of Ambassador of Sri Lanka from Brazil as the first Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Paraguay brings further diplomatic, trade and economic interactions with South American countries.
