Sri Lanka and Finland sign MoU on political consultation mechanism in Helsinki

Sri Lanka and Finland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance their political consultation processes in Helsinki. This event, which took place yesterday (25), represents a significant advancement in the friendly relations that have existed between the two countries since they established diplomatic ties in 1954, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A major outcome of these consultations was the signing of the MoU, which sets up a formal framework for ongoing political discussions and collaboration between Sri Lanka and Finland. This agreement aims to boost their partnership further. The talks offered a chance to review all areas of cooperation, check on progress made since their first meeting in 2018, and find new opportunities for working together. Topics discussed included trade, investment, tourism, development cooperation, and engaging the private sector. The delegations recognized the potential to increase trade and investment between the two nations and stressed the need to promote partnerships and innovation in business. They also shared insights on regional and global issues of common interest and ways to work together internationally. Both sides reiterated their commitment to multilateralism and the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter. They also looked into new areas for cooperation, particularly in sectors like recognizing seafarer training qualifications to support job mobility and enhance maritime cooperation. Additionally, they discussed collaboration in vocational education and training (VET) to align with emerging job market needs and sharing meteorological data for capacity building. The discussions also highlighted the valuable role of the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Finland, focusing on their welfare and contributions to the socio-economic development of both countries.