Sri Lanka Looks to EU as Global Economic Pressures Mount

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Radosław Sikorski, currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting took place in the context of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and focused on deepening cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union.

During the discussions, President Dissanayake emphasized the critical role of continued EU support in helping Sri Lanka navigate emerging global economic challenges.

He highlighted the impact of the newly introduced U.S. tariff regime and fiscal constraints imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), noting that Sri Lanka seeks to broaden its collaboration with the EU to mitigate these pressures.

The President also expressed gratitude for the EU’s positive stance on maintaining the GSP+ trade concession, which remains vital for Sri Lanka’s export economy.

Minister Sikorski reaffirmed the European Union’s and Poland’s commitment to strengthening ties with Sri Lanka, stating that his visit underscores the importance both entities place on the island nation.

He also expressed Poland’s readiness to work closely with Sri Lanka’s new administration to further enhance bilateral relations.

The two sides discussed expanding cooperation in trade, development, and diplomacy, building on five decades of economic and trade relations and three decades of development cooperation between Sri Lanka and Poland.