Sri Lanka and Antigua and Barbuda have formally established diplomatic relations with the signing of an agreement in Washington, D.C., on Friday.

The accord was signed by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, and Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders.

Both countries said the move is expected to strengthen cooperation in political, socio-economic, and cultural spheres for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

The joint announcement was issued by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism in Colombo and Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs in St. John’s.