Ambassadors of the European Union (EU) based in Colombo called on Foreign Minister Dinesh
Gunawardena on Tuesday 18 May 2021 at the Foreign Ministry, and discussed issues of mutual
interest, including EU-Sri Lanka cooperation, and the GSP Plus process.
The Foreign Minister welcomed the multifaceted cooperation existing between Sri Lanka and the
EU. Follow up action on the EU – Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting held on 25 January 2021
was also discussed.
Among other issues discussed was the EU’s contribution towards the COVAX facility supporting
global efforts to secure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines by countries, including Sri Lanka,
in the context of the national action plan to inoculate its adult population against the virus.
The Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka Denis Chaibi, the
Ambassador of France Eric Lavertu, the Ambassador of Italy Rita Mannella, the Ambassador of
the Netherlands Tanja Gonggrip, the Ambassador of Germany Holger Seubert, and the Chargé
d’Affaires of Romania Victor Chiujdea participated in the meeting. The State Minister of Regional
Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior
officials of the Foreign Ministry were also present.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
19 May 2021
