UAE and Sri Lanka sign Customs operation agreement

Sheikh Abdullah met with the Sri Lankan prime minister in Colombo on Saturday

epa06336666 Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L) and Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana (R) exchange signed agreements at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo, Sri Lanka 18 November 2017. Abdullah bin Zayed is on a short official visit to Sri Lanka to further strengthen relations between the two countries. Abdullah bin Zayed will also meet Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena during his visit.  EPA/M.A.PUSHPA KUMARA
Powered by automated translation

Agreements accelerating Customs operation and mutual assistance as well as establishing a joint consular committee were signed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesingh on Saturday.

During a meeting in Colombo, both parties discussed areas of cooperation and an array of regional and international issues of common concern.

Sheikh Abdullah affirmed during the meeting the UAE's keenness to strengthen relations with Sri Lanka across multiple domains for the benefit of both peoples.

The Sri Lankan prime minister stressed his country's determination to boost cooperation between the two countries to a higher level, noting that his country is paying special attention to areas of common interest, namely in politics, economy and food security. He lauded the great strides made by the UAE across different domains over the past years and expressed his appreciation of the diverse enterprises being implemented by the Emirates in Sri Lanka as well as the care and good treatment received by Sri Lankans living and working in the UAE.

The meeting was attended by Sri Lankan State Minister for Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake and Abdul Hamid Abdul Fattah Kazim Al Mulla, UAE ambassador to Sri Lanka.