Sri Lanka-Bulgaria to strengthen cooperation
 |
|
Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov called on President Mahinda
Rajapaksa at President's House yesterday. Here President Mahinda
Rajapaksa posing for a group photo with Bulgarian President Georgi
Parvanov, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and Bulgarian First Lady Zorka
Parvanova.
Pic by: Sudath Silva |
President of the Republic of Bulgaria Georgi Parvanov
called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 1 during a one-day
visit to Colombo. During the meeting it was acknowledged that there are
possibilities for further developing bilateral political dialogue and
cooperation in the economic, cultural and other spheres of mutual
interest. It was pointed out that both sides enjoy excellent cooperation
in the framework of the UN and other international organizations.
The Bulgarian President praised the efforts of
President Mahinda Rajapaksa to rebuild the country after the defeat of
terrorism. An agreement was also signed to improve bilateral trade.
The Bulgarian President was informed by the Sri Lankan
President about the efforts of the Sri Lankan Government in the process
of post-conflict rehabilitation of the country, following the defeat of
the LTTE and the progress achieved towards that end.
The Bulgarian side expressed its expectation that this
process will be successfully completed on the basis of substantive
participation of all ethno-religious communities, while preserving the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, in accordance with
the principles of democracy and the respect for human rights, including
the return of the IDPs to their places of habitat. In this regard
President Mahinda Rajapaksa observed that the number of IDPs remaining
is 160,000 from the original number of 280 thousand, the process of
their return is continuing and the target for its completion is end of
January, 2010.
The two Presidents were unanimous in their stance that
the development of EU-Sri Lanka relations contributes to the country's
prosperity. They noted the mutual willingness for continuing the
constructive dialogue for enhanced economic, trade and investment
cooperation. They pointed out the important contribution of existing
arrangements and commitments towards this end.
Courtesy: Daily News |
