Russian FM here today

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei V. Lavrov will arrive in Sri Lanka today, October 26 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

During the visit the Russian Foreign Minister is expected to call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He will also have consultations with Foreign Minister Bogollagama on further enhancing the cordial and flourishing relations between the two countries. Discussions are also expected to focus on boosting economic cooperation, culture, education and tourism and issues of regional and international interests.

Ministers Bogollagama and Lavrov are expected to sign the agreement on ‘Cooperation to Suppress illicit Traffic in and Abuse of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances’ and discuss the finalization of a number of other agreements. A Memorandum of Understanding on Prevention of Natural Disasters and Mitigation of their Consequences will also be signed on this occasion.

The Russian Foreign Minister is also expected to meet with the Sri Lanka-Russia Business Council. Minister Lavrov will deliver an address at the BMICH later that evening.

Foreign Minister Lavrov is no stranger to Sri Lanka. Having graduated from the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Moscow State Institute of International Relations, he is fluent in Sinhala and began his career in 1972 at the Soviet Embassy in Sri Lanka. He has been the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia since 2004.

Minister Lavrov’s visit to Sri Lanka will undoubtedly further strengthen and bring to a new height Sri Lanka-Russia relations.