President Mahinda Rajapaksa today told visiting Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Garcia-Margallo Marfil that Sri Lanka will consider Spain’s request to consider supporting Spain’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the term 2015-2016.

In addition to the five permanent members of the UNSC another ten non-permanent members are elected for a two year term.

The Spanish Foreign Minister met President Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this morning. The discussion focused on strengthening both diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.

José Manuel Garcia-Margallo spoke of Spain’s struggle with fighting terrorism and told President Rajapaksa that Spain understands well the impact of terrorism because his country too has suffered from it for many years.

President Rajapaksa explained the many different measures Sri Lanka took to address the immediate post-war needs of the North and East, including demining, resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation.

“I believe it’s much better to let the society rehabilitate them,” President Rajapaksa said about the Government’s decision to quickly release ex-LTTE cadres back to society.

“It’s the right way to go, but it’s not easy,” Minister Margallo responded.

While strengthening diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Minister said his country is also particularly interested in enhancing economic relations with Sri Lanka. He further said that Spain is considering a more permanent representation from Spain to Sri Lanka