German/Sri Lankan ties on the rise

Senator for Economy and Trade of the City of Hamburg, Germany Jan Karan indicated his willingness to assist with a variety of collaborative programs between Sri Lanka and Germany, taking advantage of the circumstances now prevailing in Sri Lanka after the eradication of terrorism.

Jan Karan and Juergen Klimke, Member of the German Parliament had discussions with Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris on a wide range of issues relating to the bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Germany. Jens Plotner, Ambassador of Germany, also participated in the discussion, on Thursday.

Prof. Peiris referred to the very useful interaction between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the German delegation at President's House in Kandy.

The Minister thanked the German Government for assistance, worth Rs. millions in dry rations and drinking water, which had been made available in the aftermath of the recent floods

He also noted that the number of German tourists visiting Sri Lanka had increased by more than 70% last year.

Senator Karan and Parliamentarian Klimke, assisted by Ambassador Plotner, discussed with Prof. Peiris appropriate fields for co-operation. Minister Peiris suggested that skills development, with particular reference to vocational training and the German experience of learning and working simultaneously, the services sector and value addition into agricultural products are suitable areas.

Juergen Klimke referred to the productive interaction which had taken place during the recent visit of the German parliamentary delegation to Sri Lanka, and said that an invitation had been extended to Sri Lankan Parliamentarians to visit Germany this year.

The two sides agreed that strengthening of relationships between the business communities of the two countries should be a priority for this year. Senator Karan and Klimke met with a cross section of business leaders ahead of his address to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

They said that the East Asiatic Association, based in Hamburg, was a useful institution for strengthening contact with the business sector in Sri Lanka, and that they would associate themselves with appropriate initiatives in this field.