Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Kenya, Kana Kananathan, who is also accredited to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), held discussions with the Foreign Minister of the DRC, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of the DRC, General Christian Tshiwewe Songesha and Deputy Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Ychaligonza Nduru Jacques yesterday. This comes as a move to strengthen bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Africa nations.
Foreign Minister Wagner expressed her enthusiasm for the growing partnership and emphasised the importance of strengthening relations at all levels. She highlighted the potential for comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.
The discussions covered a wide array of topics, including economic diplomacy, trade relations, investment flows, and renewable energy cooperation. High Commissioner Kananathan pointed out that Sri Lankan entrepreneurs have already dominated the renewable energy sector in East Africa and are now eyeing the DRC for its vast opportunities in mini hydro energy, given the numerous rivers in the country. He also noted that one of Sri Lanka’s blue-chip companies, LOLC, has already established a presence in the DRC’s banking and microfinance sectors. Foreign Minister Wagner thanked Kananathan for his initiatives and assured the Government’s support and assurance for the investors.
Foreign Minister Wagner and Ambassador Kananathan also agreed to support each other in international forums for mutual interests. “Our exchange of regional and global assessments is always valuable,” Minister Wagner stated.
General Tshiwewe Songesha echoed the positive sentiments, noting that the DRC stands to gain significantly from Sri Lanka’s expertise and comprehensive approach to defense. He underlined the importance of strategic collaboration in addressing regional security challenges.
High Commissioner Kananathan emphasised Sri Lanka’s experience in counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting the country’s successful strategies in combating terrorism and maintaining national security. The discussions also touched on the potential for joint training programmes and knowledge exchange to bolster the DRC’s defense capabilities.
These meetings marked a pivotal step in fortifying the bond between Sri Lanka and the DRC, paving the way for a robust partnership that promises to enhance stability and security in both nations. Both sides explored opportunities to deepen their multifaceted relationship, with a particular focus on leveraging Sri Lanka’s expertise in counter-terrorism and comprehensive defense strategies.
As Sri Lanka and the DRC continue to build on this foundation, both nations look forward to a future of strengthened ties and collaborative efforts that will benefit their respective countries.
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