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COLOMBO: The Swedish Government has decided to close its embassy in Colombo as part of its cost cutting measures.

These measures are a necessary part of balancing the ministry for foreign affairs budget and adapting it to its allocated appropriations, the Swedish foreign ministry said in a statement.

The closure of the embassy in Colombo is to be completed by 31 March 2010 ‘at the latest’, the statement said.

The consulates-General in Kaliningrad (Russia), Canton (China), Los Angeles and New York are also being closed, it said.

“In connection with the Government's review of development cooperation in 2007 a decision was made to end Sweden's bilateral development assistance to Sri Lanka. Existing development cooperation agreements will be seen through to their conclusion,” it sa id.

For looking after its work in Sri Lanka, the Swedish government aims to open an honorary consulate that, in cooperation with the Embassy in New Delhi, can provide service to Swedish citizens and companies, it said.

Visa services will be managed within the framework of Schengen cooperation. Schengen agreement including the Schengen Convention is an international treaty doing away with border controls within some EU and other European countries. - PTI

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