New Zealand and Sri Lanka discuss challenging global environment

New Zealand and Sri Lanka discussed the challenging global environment as well as reducing red tape at the border and increasing Sri Lanka’s market access capabilities.

Speaking following bilateral discussions with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath in Colombo, Winston Peters, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the modern relationship between both countries is growing, thanks to investments by both countries.

“Relations between our countries are long-standing. Our trade dates from the 1860s and sporting connections to the 1920s. New Zealand was one of the first countries to recognise Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948. Our modern relationship is growing, thanks to investments by both countries. We are pleased the establishment of New Zealand’s High Commission in Colombo in 2021 was followed by the opening of a Sri Lankan High Commission in Wellington this year,” he said.

He noted that for nearly 75 years, education has been a pillar of the relationship, starting with the training of Sri Lankan dental nurses in New Zealand under the Colombo Plan.

“Now we can count over 200 Sri Lankan alumni of New Zealand scholarship programmes. We are delighted to note further strengthening of these links through cooperation on tourism research between New Zealand’s University of Otago and the University of Colombo. For many years, the New Zealand-Sri Lanka relationship has also encompassed development cooperation aimed at strengthening resilience in vulnerable communities, increasing food security, and contributing to disaster response. We are proud today to announce another such link, the Sustainable Water and Livelihoods project which will support farming households to improve their health and income generation,” he said.

On security, he said Sri Lanka and New Zealand shared views on the increasingly challenging global environment and the interconnected challenges for development, trade and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We remain committed to our cooperation across immigration, customs, police and defence,” Winston Peters said.

They also discussed the growing number of New Zealand companies working with and investing in Sri Lanka or looking to work with Sri Lankan partners.

“We also discussed the key role government-to-government cooperation between our food safety and border agencies plays to improve food safety standards, reduce red tape at the border, and increase Sri Lanka’s market access capabilities,” Winston Peters said.

He said they also reiterated that Sri Lanka’s application to accede to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement is very welcome.