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Tyronne urges Pakistan to resume PIA flights

Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando who is now on an official visit to Pakistan has urged President General Pervez Musharraf to take measures for the early resumption of PIA flights to Colombo, states a Foreign Ministry press release.

Minister Fernando has briefed the President at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad on the latest development of current peace process in Sri Lanka. Apart from bilateral matters, they also discussed the prospects for regional peace during the half hour meeting. A nuclear war is unthinkable, the President has told the Minister.

The Minister's visit which is on an invitation of the Government of Pakistan, is part of a series of regional tours intended to strengthen bilateral ties with neighbouring SAARC countries and to brief them on the recent developments with regard to the peace process in Sri Lanka.

Minister Fernando also had substantive discussions with Minister of Foreign Affairs Inam-ul-Haque on the full range of bilateral issues as well as on cooperation in the SAARC and in international fora.

The Foreign Minister also had discussions with Pakistan's Minister of Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood particularly the discussions on the Free Trade Agreement and Minister of Finance Shaukat Aziz on expanding Sri Lanka's economic ties with Pakistan.

Minister Fernando was accompanied by High Commissioner General Srilal Weerasooriya and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry. The early conclusion of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement is an important element, which will be focused during the forthcoming state visit of President Musharraf to Sri Lanka end July.

An AFP report from Pakistan said:"Minister Tyronne Fernando Tuesday said he conveyed India's concerns over the disputed territory of Kashmir to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

"But I do not see a role for myself as a mediator between the two countries."

Asked for Musharraf's reaction to the "concerns", Fernando said: "He really listened."

"But, as friends of both we would like to see a settlement between the two and peace in the region," Fernando said.

Fernando said the tensions between India and Pakistan had affected the seven-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the member states were keen to see a settlement.

"Even at SAARC, we don't mediate or discuss these bilateral matters, but we would like our two friends to live in peace. That is what the people (in the region) want."

Sri Lanka is set to enter into a bilateral free trade agreement with Pakistan and a framework treaty is expected to be signed when Musharraf visits Colombo on July 31, diplomats here said.

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