INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A multi-party delegation from the Sri Lankan parliament and the delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia in the European
Parliament (DSAS) conducted a productive virtual dialogue recently.The respective delegations to the meeting were led by Foreign Affairs
Minister Ali Sabry and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Chair of DSAS Nicola Procaccini.The virtual meeting was the first such
dialogue to take place between the two parliaments since the last in-person meeting in November 2017 in Colombo.Highlighting the importance
recovery, including in the provision of humanitarian assistance.Appreciating the support and solidarity extended by members of the Paris
Club, the Foreign Minister apprised the MEPs of the current economic situation, negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF),
debt restructuring and discussions with creditors.The Minister also briefed the MEPs on recent developments in Sri Lanka including the 21st
Amendment to the Constitution; anti-corruption measures; discussions on a suitable Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) model; the
process of repeal and replacement of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) with appropriate counter-terrorism legislation in accordance with
international norms and standards; the release of PTA detainees; and overall progress in reconciliation and human rights.The EU Co-chair
Nicola Procaccini welcomed progress in EU-Sri Lanka bilateral relations with reference to the multi-faceted thematic cooperation existing
engagement with Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean; cooperation related to climate action; and the disproportionate impact of the global pandemic
and rising energy, fertilizer and food prices on developing country economies.The MPs from Sri Lanka in their respective interventions
GSP Plus in the empowerment of women at grass-roots level, and the employment opportunities provided to women in the apparel and other
their shared commitment to further strengthen cooperation between the Sri Lanka and EU Parliaments.Nineteen MPs representing the government
and the opposition parties of Sri Lanka, i.e., the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Illankai Tamil
Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), including the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya,
participated in the virtual meeting.Interventions by MEPs included that of MEP Maximilian Krah representing the Committee on International
Trade (INTA) in the European Parliament
The Head of South Asia Division of the European External Action Service (EEAS) also spoke.The Ambassadors of Sri Lanka to the EU and of the
EU to Sri Lanka, Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Parliament, and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department
of Commerce of Sri Lanka were also associated with the meeting.
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://adaderana.lk
