Enhanced cooperation between Iceland, Sri Lanka
NEW YORK: Sri Lanka and Iceland agreed for enhanced cooperation in
areas of geo-thermal energy, fisheries development and women’s
empowerment, at bilateral discussions between President Mahinda
Rajapaksa and Iceland’s Prime Minister Geier Haarde in New York
yesterday.
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa meeting Iceland’s Prime Minister
Geier Haarde in New York on the sidelines of the 63rd
sessions of the UN General Assembly. |
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa met Norwegian International
Development Minister Erik Solheim and Special Peace Envoy
Jon Hanssen Bauer in New York on the sidelines of the UN
General Assembly. Pictures by Sudath Silva |
The discussions took place when Iceland’s Prime Minister called on
the Sri Lankan President at the latter’s hotel, in New York, where both
leaders are attending the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly.
Premier Haarde, who appreciated the growing cooperation between Sri
Lanka and Iceland, recalled the earlier visit to his country by
President Rajapaksa, as Minister of Fisheries, and the recent visit of
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to Iceland as symbolic of the
close relationship between the two countries. The discussions centred on
the possibilities for future cooperation. (see picture on page 3)
This included bilateral agreements involving investment promotion in
Sri Lanka and the avoidance of double taxation. These agreements are
expected to be ready for signing during the Iceland Premier’s visit to
Sri Lanka shortly. Measures will also be taken for enhanced airline
connectivity between the two countries, as well as increased tourism to
Sri Lanka.
President Rajapaksa expressed his appreciation of the contribution of
Iceland to the development of Sri Lanka and the efforts of Iceland to
implement the mandate of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, during its
operation in Sri Lanka.
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