The Azerbaijan Government is taking steps to strengthen Sri-Lanka-Azerbaijan ties by signing investment agreements between the two countries and by encouraging Azerbaijani tourists to visit Sri Lanka. Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said this when he met Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the ministry office for talks on economic co-operation and tourism promotion to strengthen bilateral relations. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1992. Azerbaijan which is currently a UN Security Council member is making a major contribution to promote world peace and international security. Sri Lanka was among the countries that supported Azerbaijan’s candidature for the two-year membership which began last January. Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s expressed Sri Lanka’s gratitude to Foreign Minister Mammadyarov for the help Azerbaijan – as a member of the UN and the Organisation of Islamic Countries – gave to this country. The discussions between the two ministers also focused on Sri Lankan tea exports to Azerbaijan where there is a great demand for the island’s tea. Last year Sri Lanka exported to that country tea worth around 47 million US dollars. Measures to increase exports of tea, rubber and coconut products to Azerbaijan will be taken soon, according to Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The possibility of exporting non-traditional products like furniture, cutlery, paper products, plastic containers and garments will also be explored. Since Azerbaijan’s per capita income is around 10,200 US dollars most of her citizens are keen to travel abroad, Foreign Minister Mammadyarov said. Hence, there is a greater opportunity to attract Azerbaijani tourists to Sri Lanka, a country well-known for its natural and other attractions, according to him. He also made a request for starting direct flights between Colombo and Baku as between Colombo and Moscow.
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