The Foreign Minister made these remarks during his official meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena held on February 17.
Responding to the Foreign Minister President Sirisena stated though the government has just spent one year short period after its election, the access has been made for a long journey.
The President stated that making of the reconciliation process successful and building of the economy are now the main challenges faced by the new government. He explained that two main institutions have been established to work for the reconciliation process. “Accordingly, the government is committed for the welfare of every community which will be extended through the Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation, and the Ministry of Resettlement”, he said.
He further stated that the new government is performing to ensure the democracy and solve the problems of the people during this post-war period by establishing Independent Commissions through the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
Frank Walter stated that the Germany, as a country which had been separated also has experience about reconciliation. “Our government has understood it is not an easy task and cannot be performed all of a sudden”, he said.
When the German Foreign Minister inquired about the difficulties in the reconciliation process, President Sirisena said that the acts of the extremists in both parties are the main hurdles. He further stated they have taken the media to a status of a movement of extremists by misusing the media freedom.
Responding to a question by the Minister on whether he believes that the reconciliation program will be a success, the President said that he was able to get a 2/3rd majority of the Parliament and was able to pass the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and in a manner similar to the way in which he passed the 19th Amendment he could achieve the reconciliation goals too.
The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed his appreciation for the tasks done by the Sri Lankan government to keep the people happy living in the North as well as the South.
President Sirisena further said that the aim of his government is to win the challenge of increasing local products manufacturing to the world market and said that in this regard he is expecting the assistance of the government of Germany.
The President requested the government of Germany to provide technical assistance to Sri Lanka for the development of agriculture of the country and further requested assistance to solve issues pertaining to the Tea, Rubber and Coconut industries of the country.
The President said he also believes that the Government of Germany will provide assistance to Sri Lanka to get the EU ban on fish exports lifted and to get the GSP plus facility.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs said that he plans to send a high level business delegation to Sri Lanka in next May and said he believes that this opportunity will pave the way to discuss issues related to the field of business.
“The Government of Germany will provide further assistance to improve the vocational training fields and steps will be taken to declare open the Vocational Training Centre in Kilinochchi in the next June or July, which is being built with the financial assistance of the government of Germany,” the Foreign Minister said.
President Maithripala Sirisena thanked the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs for inviting him to visit Germany.
