“The opening of the Sri Lanka Mission at its own premises today , combined with a photographic exhibition on  facets of Sri Lanka, is a landmark event in the bilateral relations between Austria and Sri Lanka”, stated Dr. Wolfgang Waldner, State Secretary for European and International Affairs of Austria, who graced the Opening Ceremony as the Chief Guest.  

 The occasion marked the official commencement of the functioning of the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Vienna at the new premises owned by the Government of Sri Lanka. The reception hosted by Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez in the conference hall of the Mission was attended by a large number of bilateral Ambassadors and Permanent representatives as well as senior officials of the international organisations based in Vienna and members of the Sri Lankan Diaspora and the Austrian community.

In his opening remarks, State Secretary Waldner commended the efforts being made to further expand Sri Lanka’s relations with accredited countries, acknowledging the significance of Austria as a hub for the region. He stressed that Sri Lanka had high potential for economic growth which, harnessed fully, would be beneficial for both its people as well as its partners elsewhere.  He also stated that Austria looked forward to expanding the bilateral economic cooperation.   

Ambassador Azeez apprised the audience of the opportunities opening up in Sri Lanka for foreign investment in several growth-prone areas, and also in the fields of tourism and trade. He emphasised that Sri Lanka deeply valued its bilateral relations with Austria and other accredited countries, and that the current trend in  foreign policy making of many countries to ‘ Look East’  made Sri Lanka an eminent candidate for greater economic partnership.

20 January 2012
Ministry of External Affairs