German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier who visited Sri Lanka at the invitation of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera concluded his one day visit to Sri Lanka today, Tuesday 22 September 2015.

German Foreign Minister Mr. Frank Walter Steinmeier says Germany would lead the European Union to revive the GSP+ Relief to Sri Lanka. The Foreign Minister who is on an official visit in Sri Lanka stated that he would take action on that regard, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

I have just concluded a meeting with the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, His Excellency Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier. This is Minister Steinmeier’s first visit to Sri Lanka and we are indeed honoured and happy to welcome this distinguished minister to our country. I also hope that this visit will allow me to reciprocate the warm and cordial hospitality extended to me when I visited Berlin a few months ago in May.

Sri Lanka’s government is making fresh efforts towards reconciliation through increased engagement with the international community including United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). At this point what would you see as the key concerns for Sri Lanka and how can it continue to improve its international image?