August 23, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Iranian Foreign Minister visits Havana. Image credit - yykkaa / depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
Forum held for investment in Western Region Megapolis
The Urban Development Authority has hosted a business and investment forum titled ‘Investment Opportunities’ to attract investment for the Western Region Megapolis.
At the forum the government informed over one hundred potential local and foreign investors of the opportunities available in Western Region Megapolis Development Master Plan. The plan is expected to attract over USD 40 billion in investments.
Sri Lanka appoints Honorary Consul to Texas
The Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States, Prasad Kariyawasam, has welcomed Susantha Shan Halamba as the new Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka to the state of Texas. Ambassador Kariyawasam stated that ‘Sri Lanka is reinvigorating its representation in the United States’ as bilateral ties and people to people links between the two nations are growing at an exponential rate.
The appointment of a new Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Texas is expected to assist the Sri Lankan community living in Texas, and facilitate higher levels of cooperation between Sri Lanka and the state of Texas.
US Secretary of the Navy visits Sri Lanka
The United States Secretary of the Navy, Roy Mabus, visited the Sri Lankan Navy dockyard in Trincomalee on 22 August. The purpose of Secretary Mabus’ visit was to observe ongoing training between the navies of Sri Lanka and the US.
Upon his arrival, Secretary Mabus was received by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, and engaged in discussions focused on bilateral training.
Iran and Cuba reinvigorate relations
The Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has stated that his visit to Havana aims to expand relations between Iran and Cuba.
This visit follows the removal of international sanctions imposed on Iran. Iran is currently striving to improve business relations with other countries. The Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez, congratulated Iran on the ‘success of its foreign policy’ and reiterated its longstanding support for ‘all countries to develop nuclear energy with pacific ends’.
Leaders of the US and Costa Rica hold discussions
The US President, Barack Obama, and Vice President, Joe Biden, have met with the President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solis, on 22 August. The leaders discussed Central America, and the steps required to improve security and governance, and protect vulnerable migrants.
This meeting follows an agreement formed in July 2016 between Costa Rica and the US, in which Costa Rica agreed to offer temporary protection to refugees fleeing from Central America to the US.
France, Germany, and Italy discuss the EU
The President of France, François Hollande, the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, and the Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi, have met to discuss the new direction of the European Union (EU) following Britain’s vote to leave the EU.
This is the second round of talks held between Europe’s three most powerful states. The first round of talks was held in June 2016, a week after Britain voted to leave the EU. The trilateral discussions are in preparation for the EU summit scheduled in Slovakia next month.
Tags: Sri Lanka, Iran, EU, US, Germany, France, Cuba, Texas, Costa Rica, Italy
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