The newly appointed Egyptian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Maged Mosleh called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris on 19 March, 2022 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo.
Minister Peiris extended a warm welcome to Ambassador Mosleh and stated that he looks forward to working closely with him during his tenure in Sri Lanka. Minister Peiris and Ambassador Mosleh also held wide-ranging discussions related to the multi faceted bilateral cooporation between the two countries and exchanged views on important global contemporary issues. Minister Pieris also appraised the Egyptian Ambassador on the progress being made by the Government of Sri Lanka with regard to reconciliation and human rights.
Minister Peiris expressed his deep appreciation to the Egyptian Ambassador on the intervention of the Republic of Egypt in support of Sri Lanka at the Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council. He stated that Sri Lanka valued the bilateral cooperation and solidarity between the two countries in multilateral fora. Minister Peris also discussed Sri Lanka preparations for the 51st session of the UNHRC.
Foreign Minister further stated that Sri Lanka would continue its decades – long policy of engagement with the UN as well as with the international community in a spirit of cooperation and dialogue with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights and added that Sri Lanka would abide by its human rights obligations guaranteed by its constitution and the international obligations it has voluntarily undertaken.
Minister Pieris requested the continued cooperation and support of Egypt to Sri Lanka in the Human Rights Council in the future particularly during the 51st session. Ambassador Maged Mosleh assured Egypt’s continuous support to Sri Lanka at the UNHCR including its upcoming 51st session.
Appreciating the longstanding cordial relations, both sides discussed and were in agreement to organise commemorative events to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Sri Lanka – Egypt diplomatic relations in 2022.
During the meeting expediting the conclusion of the pending draft agreements and MoUs, enhancing cooperation on combatting extremism, promoting tolerance and mutual understanding, de-radicalisations, interfaith dialogue through Egypt’s prestigious cultural and religious institutions and holding the second session of Bilateral Political Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Colombo in 2022 were also discussed.
The discussions also covered regional and international developments of mutual interest and enhancing coordination with likeminded regional blocks.
Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Egypt in Colombo were associated with the meeting.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombo
21 March, 2022
