Hungarian FM commends Lanka's positive steps towards reconciliation

Priyanka KURUGALA

External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris and Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Janos Martonyi recently held discussions to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries .

The discussion was held in connection of promoting economic co-operation. Both Foreign Ministers agreed that there is a political will by the two countries to conclude bilateral arrangements in areas, such as. double taxation, air services, higher education, visa facilitation for official purposes and science and technology. The ministers agreed that contacts at the highest levels of their governments must be vigorously pursued and agreed to work towards this objective.

Prof Peiris appreciated the assistance of the Hungarian Government for the Labugama and Kalatuwawa water treatment plants during a period of crisis in the country. Minister Peiris emphasized the need for water in people' s day to day life. Further, the minister recalled the manner in which the LTTE sought to deprive the farming population of the country's Eastern region of water. It led to the Government having to embark on a humanitarian operation to secure and open the sluice gates in Mawilaru, to provide the people water.

The Minister stressed the avenues of investment cooperation, especially covering the areas of housing, infrastructure development, particularly tourism, irrigation development and dairy farming, health and pharmaceutical sectors. He pointed out that a new era of development has dawned in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces and the people are witnessing an economic resurgence, following the end of the protracted terrorist conflict.

Prof. Peiris called on his counterpart to further enhance contacts between the respective governments, Minister Peiris highlighted sectors, such as, Ayurvedic care, which is already receiving much attention in Europe. It is an area where Sri Lankan institutions dealing with indigenous medicine could establish treatment centers in Hungary also. He outlined that tourism packages for Ayurvedic treatment are extremely popular and have a large European clientele.

The Minister further emphasized the aspect of value addition in the development of trade ties and the availability of preferential trading arrangements between Sri Lanka and countries in the South Asian region.

Minister Martonyi explained that Hungary's foreign policy framework has recently accorded much importance to their relations with Asia. Sri Lanka is a country within that ambit and this visit is an opportunity to continue to build on Minister Peiris's visit to Budapest earlier this year. The visiting Foreign Minister commended Sri Lanka on the successful achievements in reconciliation and noted that it was necessary to acknowledge these positive steps after the end of a long period of conflict.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister observed that Sri Lanka having overcome challenges and hardships, has emerged as a country with significant potential to move forward and enhance its economic ties with the rest of the world, in particular, with Central Europe. He reiterated his country's total commitment to further strengthening political and economic relations with Sri Lanka.