Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Chung Eui-hae Meets with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment of Sri Lanka (Feb. 25)

On February 25, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-hae met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment of Sri Lanka Arun Hemachandra during the latter's visit to Korea. The two sides exchanged views on Korea-Sri Lanka relations as well as cooperation on economy, employment and labor, development and the international stage.

Deputy Minister Chung noted that Korea and Sri Lanka have developed friendly cooperative relations for nearly half a century since establishing diplomatic ties in 1977. She also proposed strengthening cooperation in various fields such as high-level exchanges as well as cooperation on economy, employment and labor, and development between the two countries which will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.

Deputy Minister Hemachandra expressed his gratitude for Korea's support for and contribution to Sri Lanka's economic recovery and development, including humanitarian assistance in response to cyclone damage. He especially expressed satisfaction over the two countries' employment cooperation for over 20 years through the Employment Permit System (EPS) and called for continuing close collaboration going forward.

※ The Korea-Sri Lanka Memorandum of Understanding on the Employment Permit System (EPS) was first signed in June 2004.

Both sides also exchanged views on support for the Korean companies operating in Sri Lanka, the expansion of people-to-people and cultural exchanges including amid the growing interest in Korean culture in Sri Lanka, and elections in international organizations.