Phnom Penh, 5 August 2022 (TDI): The United States (US) Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken met with the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Phnom Penh.
I met with @MFA_SriLanka Minister Ali Sabry at Cambodia’s @ASEAN Regional Forum to congratulate him on his appointment. I also reiterated U.S. support for the most vulnerable people of Sri Lanka and highlighted our ongoing efforts to help increase Sri Lanka’s economic stability. pic.twitter.com/lRyqYmrKZa
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 4, 2022
Remarks by the Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister
The Secretary of State congratulated Foreign Minister Sabry on his recent appointment. Secretary Blinken iterated the US’s support for the people of Sri Lanka. That is, highlighting over $179 million in US assistance that will support Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable.
Also, at the same time bolstering the country’s economy during the current challenging times. Secretary Blinken further underlined the importance of working with the IMF “to put Sri Lanka back on the path to economic stability”.
Therefore, while Sri Lanka approaches this juncture, the Secretary of State underlined the need to act in line with the country’s constitutional processes. Together with protecting the human rights of all Sri Lankans as well as the right to peaceful assembly.
On the other side, Foreign Minister Sabry highlighted working closely with the US government during his previous capacity as the Finance Minister and the Justice Minister.
In addition, the Foreign Minister expressed appreciation for the role played by the US. That is, in trying to obtain an IMF bailout quickly and the restructuring of the debt.
Minister Sabry noted that they understand the challenges and that there are opportunities in this challenge. In accordance, Sabry said that the Sri Lankans have been united in all this and have been peaceful.
Most importantly, he stated that they notice the huge obligation on their part to put the country back on track and get the country’s economy “out of the woods”.
Likewise, Sabry said that they look forward to working with the American Administration, and US Administration throughout.
Therefore, the Foreign Minister noted that in the recent past they have seen a very high-level delegation visiting Sri Lanka. Together with several roundtable discussions.
The Foreign Minister highlighted that they have had a lot of support for their IMF approach from the US Treasury. Along with the State Department and the government in general.
