On 05 of March 2020, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam Prasanna Gamage, called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Pham Binh Minh, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in Ha Noi.
The Ambassador was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who conveyed his greetings and best wishes to the newly appointed Ambassador for a successful tenure in Ha Noi. Pham Binh Minh expressed his great satisfaction on the existing close bilateral relations between the two countries. He also recalled the cordial and productive relations he maintained with Sri Lankan diplomats, especially during his tenure as Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations in New York. Hon. Minh expressed his confidence that solid political and socio-cultural relations, which prevail between the two countries would pave the way for enhancing in trade, economic and investments relations. He also emphasized that the 50th anniversary celebrations relating to the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka should be conducted in both countries starting from this year.
While thanking the Minister for providing an opportunity for the meeting, Ambassador Gamage congratulated Viet Nam for being the Chair of ASEAN for 2020 and becoming a non-permeant member of the UN Security Council for the period 2020 – 2021 as well as taking measures to effectively control spread of Corona Virus in Viet Nam. The Ambassador acknowledged the continuing excellent bilateral cooperation between the two countries and also mutual cooperation in the regional and international spheres.
Minister Pham Binh Minh and Ambassador Gamage extensively discussed the future prospects of bilateral relations, high level visits to be undertaken by political leaders, increasing people to people contacts, tourism, education and culture related cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Gamage was assisted by Third Secretary (Commercial) Prasadi Boomawalage of the Mission and Minister Pham Binh Minh was assisted by Director General Nguyen Tat Thanh, Head Duong Minh Ngoc and Desk Officer Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan, of South Asia Division of the Department of South East Asia, South Asia and South Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, during the meeting.
