Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, currently visiting Sri Lanka in his capacity as part of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on May 29. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation, particularly between Sri Lanka and the European Union, amidst evolving global economic dynamics.
President Dissanayake highlighted the significance of continued EU engagement, especially as Sri Lanka navigates economic headwinds linked to new global tariff regimes—such as those introduced by the United States—and fiscal limitations stemming from arrangements with the International Monetary Fund. He stressed that broader cooperation with the EU will be crucial for Sri Lanka to mitigate these pressures and pursue sustainable economic recovery.
Expressing gratitude for the EU’s ongoing support, President Dissanayake welcomed the continued extension of the GSP+ trade concession, which provides Sri Lankan exports preferential access to European markets. He noted that this support remains vital for Sri Lanka’s economic resilience and export competitiveness.
Foreign Minister Sikorski reaffirmed Poland’s and the EU’s interest in deepening engagement with Sri Lanka, noting that his visit reflects the growing strategic importance both parties place on their partnership. He recalled the longstanding economic and developmental cooperation between Poland and Sri Lanka, spanning five decades of trade relations and three decades of development assistance, and expressed his intention to work closely with Sri Lanka’s new administration to further strengthen this foundation.
The meeting also included discussions on expanding bilateral collaboration beyond trade, including areas such as climate resilience, sustainable development, and educational exchanges. Both parties reiterated their commitment to reinforcing diplomatic and economic ties in the years ahead.
Present at the meeting were Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka Carmen Moreno, President’s Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, among other officials from both delegations.
