New Spanish Ambassador Ion de La Riva Guzman de Frutos called on Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday (25).

Minister Bogollagama valued the Spanish government’s position on the imperative need to protect Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and pointed out the need for the international community to be more understanding of the ground realities impinging on the conflict areas of the country.

They discussed other issues related to the EU, including the renewal of the GSP + scheme for Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Minister also outlined the need to enhance trade links between Sri Lanka and Spain, in order to develop bilateral ties to a more meaningful relationship. To this end, the Ambassador referred to cooperating in areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure development and fisheries. He informed that there would be a visit to Colombo by a Spanish Parliamentary group later this year and acknowledged the cooperation with its counterpart group in Sri Lanka.