Croatia supports Lankan efforts to eradicate terrorism

Prime Minster, Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, paid an official visit to the Republic of Croatia from September 10-13, at the invitation of Croatia.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Croatia, Aruni Wijewardane, Secretary to the Prime Minister Mahinda Bandusena and other officials. Initiating bilateral talks between the two delegations Prime Minister of Croatia Ivo Sanader welcomed the visit of his Sri Lankan counterpart and recalled the high-level exchanges of visits between the two countries in the past, as well the warm bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Croatia.

The Prime Minster Wickramanayaka hoped that Croatia's aspirations to join the EU will be soon realized. Both Ministers exchanged views on regional and multilateral affairs, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in multilateral fora for the benefit of the two countries.

The Prime Ministers also agreed that terrorism is a common threat to global security and agreed to work together in the efforts to eradicate this menace. It was agreed that Croatia and Sri Lanka could collaborate in the shipbuilding and marine sector for the mutual benefit of both countries.

The ports and shipping sectors were important in the economies of both countries and these were identified as possible areas for future cooperation. Tourism was an important dimension of the economies of both countries and cooperation in this sector could be initiated.

Prime Minster Wickramanayaka proposed the establishment of Friendship Groups in the Parliaments of the two countries. Prime Minister Wickramanayaka extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Croatia to visit Sri Lanka with a high-level business and economic delegation. The discussions concluded with the signing of the Agreement on Cooperation in the fields of Culture, Education, Science, Technology and Sports.