Tehran-Colombo oil ties to be revived, says Iran’s Zangeneh
EghtesadOnline: Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh said that Sri Lanka is a good partner for Iran in terms of oil and petrochemistry, reiterating that Iran is willing to expand ties with Sri Lanka.
In a meeting with Sri Lankan Minister of Petroleum Resources Development, Chandima Weerakkody in Tehran, Zangeneh expressed the hope that bilateral ties between the two countries damaged by sanctions would be revived again.
According to ISNA, he said Iran and Sri Lanka both located in Indian Ocean and are naturally linked, adding, “We can work together in various fields.”
Iran and Sri Lanka have had official diplomatic relations since 1961.
Currently, two Iranian companies are working on two important projects of dam construction and rural electricity in Sri Lanka.
In January 2015, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Tehran is determined to strengthen ties with friendly nations, including Sri Lanka.
In a message to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, President Rouhani extended his congratulations to Sirisena on his election as the country's president, and expressed the hope that the bilateral relations between Tehran and Colombo would witness further enhancement in his tenure.
"I sincerely congratulate Your Excellency's election as the president of the friend country, Sri Lanka," wrote President Rouhani in his message.