Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, and Ms. Dunya Maumoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, held bilateral discussions at the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday.
These discussions reflected the special and warm relationship between the two countries.
Prof. Peiris, welcoming Ms. Maumoon on her first official visit to Sri Lanka as Foreign Minister, said that the recent political transition which took place in the Maldives, indicated the maturity and foresight of all parties concerned.
The two Ministers agreed on the need to intensify discussions within the already established mechanisms for structured bilateral dialogue.
The two Ministers expressed satisfaction that Memoranda of Understanding on a variety of issues such as health, youth and skills development, sports, combating crime and police training would be signed between the two countries during the State visit of President Abdulla Yameen of the Maldives to Sri Lanka.
Among the specific issues discussed were co-operation in education, food security, economic and trade relations, supply of fruit and vegetables to the Maldives through Mattala airport, employment and collaboration in the defence and fisheries sectors.
Prof. Peiris gave his counterpart in the new government of the Maldives a comprehensive update on political and economic developments in Sri Lanka.
The Ministers agreed that the vital interests of both countries would be served by the closest co-operation between them.
