Sri Lanka and Russia pledged to enhance long term economic cooperation and affirmed to build a strong foundation to take bilateral relations to a new high.
These sentiments were expressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Maithripala Sirisena during the historic meeting at the Green Room in Kremlin on Thursday (23).
When President Maithripala Sirisena arrived at the Kremlin, he received a warm welcome from President Vladimir Putin, the PMD said.
The two Presidents referring to the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Russia agreed to take effective steps to ensure strong bilateral relations between the two countries.
President recalling his last meeting with the Russian President in Goa last year thanked him for extending an invitation and ensuring support for economic development in Sri Lanka as well as for Russia’s enormous support in international forums.
President Sirisena said that he is proud to mention the fact that the Founder of his party S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike established the diplomatic relations with Russia, then known as the Soviet Union in 1967.
President Maithripala Sirisena and President Vladimir Putin discussed ways and means of furthering bilateral relations. Several new Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) to be signed expanding bilateral cooperation in several fields such as fisheries, education, technology and culture.
The visit is expected to strengthen friendship and cooperation further and enhance bilateral trade between Russia and Sri Lanka, the statement said.
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Ambassador Weerasinghe also attended the discussions.
Meanwhile during this bilateral meeting, the Russian President had presented a rare gift to President Maithripala Sirisena symbolizing the close relationship between two countries.
This special gift was a royal sword from Kandy era of the 19th century, which had been brought to England in 1906 and later bought by Russia at an archeological artifact auction named Sotheby’s in England.
