'Blue Economy': Lanka, Seychelles join hands
Protecting and better utilising marine resources for
mutual benefit of both countries:
Rasika SOMARATHNA
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External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris with Seychelles
Foreign Minister Jean Paul Adam at the ministry yesterday.The
minister and the delegation will leave Sri Lanka today. Picture
by Saliya Ruapasinghe
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Sri Lanka and Seychelles are to join hands in the development of the
'Blue Economy' as a means of protecting and better utilising marine
resources for the mutual benefit of both the countries.
This was mentioned during a joint press conference by External
Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris and visiting Seychelles Foreign
Minister Jean Paul Adam after bilateral talks in Colombo yesterday.
Prof Peiris said the two countries had identified many areas for
collaboration during talks and the majority of them revolved around the
resources of the ocean.
The minister said both countries had agreed to work together in areas
such as fisheries, tourism, combatting piracy, naval security, human
resources, health and education.
He said during talks, Seychelles had expressed its desire to purchase
long line fishing craft and other related equipment from Sri Lanka.
Both countries have agreed to strengthen links between naval
institutions, have a joint strategy against piracy, sharing of
experiences in developing human resources, health and education.
Prof Peiris said the Seychelles Foreign Minister will meet Economic
Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Fisheries Minister Dr Rajitha
Senarathne, Trade and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiutheen and Defence
and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa among others.
Foreign Minister Adam told the media bilateral talks were very
fruitful and many areas of collaboration to the advantage of both
countries had been identified.
He said Sri Lanka in the future could become a one-stop-shop for
Seychelles in fulfilling all her marine equipment needs.
Adam said in addition, his delegation would look at renewable energy
generation, health, education and business sectors to gain knowledge
from the Sri Lankan methods.
The minister said his delegation which also consist members from the
business sector in Seychelles, would look in to areas of possible
cooperation in trade and business.
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Seychelles President to visit Lanka
Seychelles President James Michel will be in Sri Lanka during the
latter part of this year on a state visit.
External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peris said the authorities were in
the process of finalising the dates for the President's visit. |
