Discussions on lifting EU ban on fisheries products

Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera concluded a two-day official visit to Brussels recently.

The Minister held talks with the European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, and the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Developmen, Neven Mimica.

Discussions focused on strengthening Sri Lanka's relations with the European Union and Belgium, the steps Sri Lanka has taken and will take to comply with international fishing regulations and the process of prequalifying for GSP+ tariff concessions.

The European Commission offered Sri Lanka assistance in meeting the regulatory needs that would enable an early lifting of the ban on fish exports to the EU and displayed strong interest in expanding socio-economic ties and development programs.