Hungary will stand by SL – Speaker

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Visiting Hungarian Speaker Laszlo Kover assured Prime Minister D M Jayaratne that the country will stand by Sri Lanka against international pressure.

The Hungarian Speaker told the Prime Minister that his country was prepared to help Sri Lanka when faced with international pressure. He said Hungary raised its voice in support of Sri Lanka within the European Union and was willing to help as an intermediary on behalf of the country in resolving such issues.

The Prime Minister’s Office in a statement said Speaker Kover noted the above when Premier Jayaratne had told him about the international pressure faced by his country. The two leaders met at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Colombo on Saturday.

The visiting Speaker told Premier Jayaratne that the absence of conflict has brought greater security, peace, unity and opened up economic development in Sri Lanka.

He said Sri Lanka was emerging as a bright star from Asia and was showing potential of progressing further in the development front.

The Speaker said Sri Lanka has garnered increased world attention and more pressure.

He said Hungary was always prepared to support Sri Lanka, both politically and economically, and predicted that close cooperation, respect and friendship between the two countries will continue to grow. During discussions, the Hungarian Speaker also promised to propagate Sri Lanka’s image as one of the top global destinations for tourists in his country.

He also voiced his country’s interest in initiating direct flights to Colombo, the Premier’s Office said. Prime Minister Jayaratne while appreciating Hungarian assistance, told the visiting Speaker that post-war reconstruction is progressing steadily, while accelerated economic development has improved the livelihood of the people.

He said Hungary remained a close friend of Sri Lanka with excellent bilateral relations based on mutual respect, trust and understanding.

Hungarian State Secretary Laszlo Veress, the Head of the office of foreign relations Peter Sardi and Hungarian ambassador to Colombo Janos Terenyi also participated.