Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan efficiently conclude 2nd spherical of International Workplace Consultations in Astana

Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan efficiently concluded the second spherical of International Workplace Consultations in Astana right now (11 April 2024). The Sri Lanka delegation was led by International Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, and the delegation of Kazakhstan was led by Deputy Minister of International Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev.

On high-level bilateral visits, the Kazakhstan delegation invited President Ranil Wickremesinghe to undertake an official go to to Kazakhstan. A go to by International Minister Ali Sabry to take part within the Astana Worldwide Discussion board in June 2024 was additionally confirmed. On bilateral cooperation, commerce, tourism, vitality, transport and logistics have been prioritized. It was acknowledged that the resumption of direct constitution flights by Air Astana to Sri Lanka has contributed to growing vacationer arrivals from Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka and the 2 sides will discover a reciprocal visa free association for regular passport holders.

International Secretary Wijewardane prolonged sympathies to these affected by the latest unprecedented floods that occurred in sure components of Kazakhstan. She highlighted the initiatives taken by Sri Lanka in local weather change together with the tropical belt initiative, local weather justice discussion board and worldwide local weather change college.

The Kazakh aspect expressed their confidence in Sri Lanka’s financial restoration and welcomed the latest progress on all indicators on this entrance.

The Consultations concluded with a call to carry the third spherical in 2025. International Secretary Wijewardane can also be anticipated to fulfill the Vice Minister of Vitality, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports activities and the Vice Minister of Commerce and Integration of Kazakhstan, in addition to the Secretary Basic of the Convention on Confidence Constructing Measures in Asia (CICA) and go to the Astana Worldwide Monetary Centre.

The International Workplace Consultations observe a high-level assembly between President Wickremesinghe and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held in September 2023 the place it was agreed to reciprocally set up Embassies in Colombo and Astana. The Sri Lanka Embassy to be established in Astana will likely be Sri Lanka’s first resident diplomatic mission in Central Asia. Sri Lanka can also be a Member of Convention on Confidence Constructing Measures in Asia (CICA) primarily based in Astana.