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| Saturday, 31 January 2004 |
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Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando held official talks at the Ministry with Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs & Finance, Tahmasb Mazaheri during his recent visit to Sri Lanka to participate in the 7th Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Meeting. Also present on this occasion were Iranian Vice Minister of Economic Affairs & Finance, Mohammed Khazaee, Iranian Ambassador, Behrooz and other officials. The two ministers exchanged views on a broad range of bilateral issues particularly petroleum and tea trade, investment, tourism, joint ventures, economic co-operation etc. They noted with satisfaction the resolution of outstanding issues relating to the Investment Protection Agreement and progress in finalising the Customs Co-operation Agreement. Minister Tyronne Fernando expressed his warm appreciation to the Iranian Minister for his government's positive response to the request for waiver of the prime bank guarantee requirement on payments for crude oil purchases by Sri Lanka. The Foreign Minister recalled that during his official visit to Iran in July 2003 he had raised this longstanding issue underlining the heavy financial burden to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. He expressed particular satisfaction that the Iranian government has agreed to waive this requirement which is expected to bring substantial financial benefit to Sri Lanka. The visiting minister conveyed Iranian government's appreciation to Sri Lanka for the donation of tea to the victims of the recent devastating earthquake in the city of Bam. Apart from discussions with Commerce & Consumer Affairs Minister at the JEC the visiting Iranian Minister met the Sri Lankan Minister of Power and Energy, Finance Minister and paid courtesy calls on President Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. |
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