Welcoming the Sri Lankan minister, Secretary Blinken noted that the U.S. have almost 75 years of partnership with Sri Lanka which will be celebrated next year. He said the U.S. is working very closely together on issues of global importance and also on Sri Lanka’s economic challenges.
“We are working very closely together on issues of global import, including the climate crisis, where Sri Lanka has been taking some important steps to help the world address it. And of course the United States has been working closely with Sri Lanka in the midst of the serious economic challenges that Sri Lanka is facing. We provided some $240 million in assistance and loans, and we’re also working together both to support economic stability but also political stability and progress.”
Thanking Secretary Blinken for inviting him, Minister Sabry pointed out that Sri Lanka and the U.S. have been long-term partners – “75 years of diplomatic relationship that – almost the period of independence and one of the first countries to recognize Sri Lanka.
Speaking briefly the Foreign Minister paid gratitude for American people and the Biden administration, for the support during a “very testing time” for Sri Lankans.
“So we are grateful particularly for your humanitarian support – loans, grants – and technical support. We are extremely grateful, and we are looking forward to work for even better relationship and particularly in the Indian Ocean and eastern Pacific. And I must make this opportunity to also thank you and the Treasury for playing a leading role in allowing us and facilitating us to approach the IMF, restructure our debt, and to go to the board sooner than later in order to get our EFF as soon as possible,” Minister Sabry said.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry is currently engaged in an official visit to the U.S. from 29 November to 04 December 2022, on the invitation of the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Source – Colombo Page
