🇫🇷 Sri Lanka Seeks Deeper Cooperation with France & EU as AFD Marks 20 Years

Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with France and the European Union (EU) during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) in the country. • Overall Engagement: AFD's partnership began in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and has since evolved from disaster recovery into a robust, long-term development relationship. • Key Sector Contributions: Over the past two decades, AFD has targeted critical investments in water and sanitation, urban development, green energy, and climate-resilient development to enhance local livelihoods and community strength. • Future Cooperation: Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra expressed strong interest in expanding collaboration with France and the EU in future-oriented domains, specifically sustainable development, digital transformation, maritime cooperation, and institutional strengthening. _Note: Summary based on official ministerial representations during the anniversary event._