Algeria is Chair of the current Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, while Sri Lanka is Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth and Chair of the Group of 15, which will hold its Summit in Colombo in November this year.

 
The Foreign Ministers of Sri Lanka and Algeria, at their bilateral discussions, noted the very close cooperation between the two countries in international fora.  Minister Peiris thanked Minister Lamamra warmly for Algeria’s understanding and support in respect of Sri Lanka’s issues at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.  He also expressed appreciation of Algeria’s vigorous co-operation regarding counter-terrorist activity.  Prof. Peiris emphasized Sri Lanka’s eagerness to explore avenues of greater collaboration with Algeria in the field of oil and gas.

 
Prof. Peiris briefed his Algerian counterpart in detail about Sri Lanka’s approach to ongoing reconciliation and, in particular, recent initiatives in this regard.  Soon after signing the agreement on political consultations, the two Ministers addressed the media together.  They both recognized the importance of upholding the core values of the Non-Aligned Movement, in their application to contemporary situations, and of ensuring the absence of pressure seeking to diminish the space available to countries to resolve issues in keeping with their own priorities and aspirations.(KH/SI)