Mechanism for political consultation

Lanka-Brazil ink MoU

Ishara Mudugamuwa

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between External Affairs Ministry and the Brazilian External Relations Ministry for the establishment of a mechanism for political consultations yesterday at the External Affairs Ministry.

The MoU was signed by External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris and Brazilian External Relations Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota. An Agreement on exemption of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official or service passports was also made by Sri Lanka and Brazil at this occasion.

The External Affairs Minister had bilateral discussions with the Brazilian delegation.

Addressing the Media after the discussions External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris said the discussions was made on engineering, mining, ports, agriculture, higher education, tourism, infrastructure development, climate change, financial crisis, security etc.

Minister Patriota's visit is the first ever visit by a Brazilian External Relations Minister to Sri Lanka. The relationship between the two countries will be developed rapidly with this visit.

The delegation also met leaders of the trade and business community of Sri Lanka

Brazilian State Minister Fathima Ishitani, External Relations Ministry Official Tovar da Silva Nunes, Counsellor and Head of the Southern Asia Division, Department of Central and Southern Asia and Oceania, Marisa de Paiva Kenicke Schpatoff, Ministry Secretory Gustavo Nogueira, Brazil Ambassador to Sri Lanka Pedro Henrique Lopes Borio and Minister Counselor Jose Roberto Procopiak also participated.