Mr. Tonino Picula, the Croatian Foreign Minister, met Ms. Maria Soledad Alvear Valenzuela

Mr. Tonino Picula, the Croatian Foreign Minister, received Mr. Tyronne Fernand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, who is officially visiting the Republic of Croatia from 25 – 28 June 2003.

This is the first return visit of a high Sri Lankan official since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1997. Minister Picula visited Sri Lanka from 5 – 8 May 2001.

At their talks, it was emphasised that both countries will make further efforts to improve bilateral cooperation, notably at the economic and cultural level, as well as in other fields. Both sides expressed their wish for a more frequent exchange of visits with a view to getting to know each other better.

They both agreed to cooperate in ship building and to use free zones in the ports of Rijeka and Ploče for the distribution of Sri Lankan products intended for countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The Republic of Croatia is interested in establishing maritime routes to connect Sri Lankan port of Colombo with Croatian ports. There are possibilities for cooperation in food and pharmaceutical industries and fishery. With a view to strengthening economic cooperation, the procedure of harmonising bilateral agreements was initiated, some of which might be concluded in the near future.

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