Business

The first round of political talks between Sri Lanka and Belgium took place successfully in Brussels, marking a key moment in the long-standing ties between the two nations. The discussions, held on October 17, highlighted both governments' desire to enhance cooperation, increase dialogue, and seek out new partnerships, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. An agreement to hold such political consultations was signed in December 2017. The Sri Lankan team was led by Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, who is the Director-General of the Europe & North America Division, while the Belgian side was led by Birgit Stevens, the Director-General of Bilateral Affairs for Asia and Oceania. Both delegations reviewed their bilateral relations in detail, covering areas such as political engagement, high-level visits, trade, investment, tourism, defense, maritime security, scientific and cultural partnerships, disaster prevention, climate resilience, green transition, and collaboration in global forums. They also discussed plans for celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2028. Sri Lanka expressed its interest in boosting economic connections, focusing on trade, tourism, and investment opportunities in areas like green energy, pharmaceuticals, information and communications technology, ports, and logistics. The talks also included discussions on ongoing cooperation within the European Union (EU), particularly regarding Sri Lanka's participation in the EU GSP+ scheme, debt restructuring, and reforms guided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) aimed at economic recovery. Belgium acknowledged Sri Lanka's efforts toward economic recovery and institutional reforms, while Sri Lanka thanked Belgium for its support in the EU and other international areas. Additionally, Sri Lanka requested Belgium's assistance in the rebuilding process following the recent cyclone Ditwah.