The 26th session of the Joint Commission between Sri Lanka and the European Union (EU) is scheduled to take place today, February 22, in Brussels. Co-chaired by Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary, Aruni Wijewardane, and the EU European External Action Service Deputy Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Paola Pampaloni, the meeting is set to facilitate comprehensive discussions on various bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
The Sri Lanka delegation participating in the Joint Commission includes senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General’s Department, and the Ministry of Finance. This gathering serves as a crucial platform for dialogue and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union, encompassing diverse topics such as trade and investments, development assistance, fisheries, education, counter-terrorism, governance, human rights, Indo-Pacific and maritime security, and environmental concerns.
The Joint Commission will receive reports from three Working Groups: Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights; Trade and Economic Cooperation; and Development Cooperation. These reports will be presented during the session, offering insights and updates on the respective areas of focus.
Additionally, the European Union will provide an overview of current developments within the EU, including updates on the new GSP Regulation and the latest cycle of the EU GSP+ concessions. The forthcoming session follows the previous meeting held in May 2023 in Colombo, emphasizing the sustained commitment of both parties to ongoing dialogue and collaboration.
