Iran Press/ Iran News: Speaking in the joint press conference with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Iran's Hossein Amir-Abdollhian said: "Today, my colleague and I reviewed a wide range of topics, including trade, tourism, and presence in international organizations."
Formation of consular committee for release of prisoners on Iran, Sri Lanka agenda
Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the two sides agreed to release prisoners in the two countries, as a humane approach in the near future, as well as establishing consular committees between the two sides.
Amir-Abdollahian added: "In today's meeting, we discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues, including economic cooperation, development of trade and tourism, and boosting cooperation in regional and international organizations based on the existence of a common political will to expand cooperation in culture, tourism, and science, university, new technologies areas and use the capacity of knowledge-based companies in both countries.
Iran's foreign minister said: "We discussed the existence of some obstacles in the relations between the two countries. Existing obstacles can be easily solved, and some obstacles in the framework of international law, existing in the current situation, can be resolved utilising some specific ways. Considering the policy of President Raisi and the priority of looking at Asia, we agreed on this issue that today and in the current century, the capacity in the Asian continent has attracted the attention of the world and the powers, and Asian countries, more than ever before, should cooperate with insight and cooperation."
Looking at the development of the region, the two countries will use the path of dialogue and interaction in line with the interests of the nations, Amir-Abdollahian added.
The Iranian foreign minister said: "Cooperation in the strategic region of the Indian Ocean was one of the topics discussed today, considering Sri Lanka's presidency of the Indian Ocean Cooperation Union. Sri Lanka's presidency of the The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an opportunity to look more strongly at the cooperation between Asian countries and Iran's stronger cooperation with other Asian countries and members of the IORA.
Amir-Abdollahian stated: "We discussed the latest status of the previously signed documents between the two countries, and considered agreements for signing more documents in the future between the two countries, and we agree on the implementation of the existing agreements."
Iran's top diplomat further said: "The release of Iranian and Sri Lankan prisoners was considered. We agreed to release prisoners in the two countries with a humane approach in the near future, and we agreed to strengthen consular relations and activate the joint economic commission and consular committee between the two countries."
Amir- Abdollahian further stated: "We discussed the fight against drug and human trafficking. Ceylon tea is seen in every Iranian's home, and Sri Lanka has a high capacity in producing and exporting tea and receiving various items from Iran. We had a conversation about this. The strong presence of Iranian technical and engineering service companies in Sri Lanka has provided opportunities such as the construction of an oil refinery and the construction of a power plant."
He continued: "In this regard, we agreed to establish stronger cooperation between the two countries in the field of technical and engineering services, medical services and medical equipment export, and the export of new technologies, along with cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism, etc."
The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Ali Sabry, for his part, said: "This is my first trip to Iran and I should have come to the country a long time ago. The flexibility and strength of Iranian people in education and technology, despite the pressures, is remarkable."
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister added: "We are interested in many Iranians visiting Sri Lanka."
He noted that the relations between the two countries have a good background and future, adding: "This trip can be a good start for good things in the future. There are opportunities that Sri Lanka can provide to Iran and it serves as the Gate to South and East Asia."
Sri Lanka's foreign minister said:b "We are everyone's friend and nobody's enemy in foreign policy. We have a strategic position and I want Iranian companies to look at Sri Lanka."
He pointed to Iran's progress in various fields, including medicine, and added: "There are good opportunities for many businesses in Sri Lanka, and we have been Iran's friend in the region and internationally, and we want to continue our friendship." We were together and we have always supported each other and each other's position and we do not interfere in each other's internal issues.
Sri Lanka's foreign minister said: "We are going to take over IORA's presidency and this is an opportunity to have a multipolar situation in a multipolar world and Iran can play an important role.
Ali Sabry continued:" I hope the Iranian brothers and sisters will come to Sri Lanka for their holidays."
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran hosted Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry in his first visit to Tehran under the current Iranian government.
After that, the foreign ministers sat down at a table and discussed the issues of mutual interest.
At the beginning of this meeting, Amir- Abdollahian welcomed his Sri Lankan counterpart, and said that his visit would be a new turning point for the development of cooperation between the two countries.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Ali Sabry arrived in Tehran on Saturday morning.
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