Sri Lanka has made progress toward joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath said, noting that Australia and New Zealand have expressed support for the country’s bid.
Speaking in Canberra at the conclusion of his official visit to Australia and New Zealand, Minister Herath said Sri Lanka had taken significant diplomatic steps towards securing engagement with the 15-member trade bloc, the world’s largest free trade agreement.
RCEP comprises the 10 ASEAN countries—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—alongside Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, and South Korea.
Minister Vijitha Herath said the visit helped strengthen Sri Lanka’s economic and trade ties with key regional partners and laid the groundwork for closer cooperation.
Meanwhile, he confirmed that Australia is expected to commence direct flights to Sri Lanka from August, marking a further expansion of bilateral connectivity between the two countries.
