Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a bilateral political consultation mechanism to deepen ties, reported Colombopage. The mechanism will strengthen the cooperation in fields of security, culture, health, and people-to-people contact. 

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Afghan Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ashraf Haideri, on Wednesday, signed a historic agreement in Colombo. 

The political mechanism between the two countries will provide a platform for regular engagement and cooperation between the two South Asian countries. It would also provide avenues to enhance mutual trade.

 “Both sides underscored the high potential areas for bilateral trade, including tea, gem and jewelry, dry fruits, nuts, and cereal and highlighted that direct air connectivity would provide both countries to have closer cooperation in tourism, cultural and social engagements,” reads a statement released by the Sri Lankan foreign ministry. 

During the signing ceremony, both Gunawardena and Haideri expressed confidence that the new mechanism would enable a yearly review of the whole gamut of bilateral relations.