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Defence pact agreed in principle: Tyronne

by Bharatha Malavaraarachchi and Ranil Wijayapala

Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando told Parliament yesterday that a defence cooperation pact was agreed to in principle between Sri Lanka and India.

"This will cover areas of co-operation such as training, procurement, consultation etc. This is not a mutual defence pact," the Minister said.

Fernando was making a ministerial statement on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's recent visit to India.

The Minister said discussions between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee focused on the peace process, combating terrorism, implementation of the FTA and the conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, enhancing economic cooperation, addressing issues relating to fisheries, expanding air services and the enhancing the financial resources for India-Sri Lanka Foundation.

The two sides also agreed to commence talks to conclude a defence cooperation agreement at the earliest, Fernando said.

The Deputy Prime Minister of India and Ministers of External Affairs, Commerce and Industry, Civil Aviation, Petroleum and Natural Gas called on the Prime Minister during the visit. Opposition Leader and Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi also called on the Prime Minister, the Minister said.

The discussions were substantive and conducted in a cordial atmosphere which reflects the traditional ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, he said.

"This is the third working visit by the Prime Minister to New Delhi since the formation of the UNF Government in December 2001. I accompanied him on the very first visit in December 2001. The Prime Minister's third working visit took place shortly after the successful conclusion in Colombo of the Fifth session of the Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Commission co-chaired by me and by my Indian counterpart," Fernando said.

The Minister said: As the House is aware, the UNF Government considers relations with India as one of the corner stones of Sri Lanka's foreign, economic and national security policies.

The UNF Government also considers India to be an integral part of our peace process. The Prime Minister himself personally or through senior members of the Cabinet has consulted and kept India informed of developments relating to the peace process.

Over the last couple of decades while in opposition as well as in the government, the Prime Minister developed a clear vision and strategy to develop Sri Lanka's economy against the back drop of the ongoing globalisation process. This strategy was predicated on Sri Lanka becoming a hub and value addition platform for the South Asian region. We missed such an opportunity in the past and today we can see that Singapore and Dubai are performing this role.

In order to realise this vision, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has, over the past two years, followed a multi-pronged strategy aimed at deepening our relations with India. We are pursuing this objective with the central government as well as states in South India which have the potential for becoming partners in our economic development."

The Minister also referred to some of the significant achievements between Sri Lanka and India.

India's support for the peace process has been consistent and is reflected in the joint statement, Fernando said. The Minister said: "India expects that the response to the Sri Lanka Government proposal for the Interim administration will be reasonable and comprehensive.

India supports seeking a negotiated settlement acceptable to all sections of the Sri Lankan society within the frame work of a united Sri Lanka and consistent with democracy, pluralism and respect for individual rights.

India will maintain an abiding interest in the security of Sri Lanka and remains committed to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. In this context, a defence cooperation agreement was agreed to in principle. This will cover areas of co-operations such as training, procurement, consultations etc. This is not a mutual defence pact.

Regarding terrorism, the two Prime Ministers emphasised the need for concerted opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestation.

In regard to the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement which came into force in 2001, the two Prime Ministers expressed happiness at the expansion of bilateral trade which is expected to cross the US $ 1 billion mark during 2002-2003. The Joint Study Group Report on CEPA, was handed over to the two Prime Ministers by the Co-Chairmen. There is an understanding to finalise CEPA by March 2004. The far reaching recommendations contained in the report will enable the two countries to enjoy the benefits of further liberalisation of trade in both goods and services and enhance investments as well as closer economic cooperation.

Once concluded, this Agreement will turbocharged Sri Lanka's economy and integrate our economy with the economy with that of India, which is emerging as one of the largest economies in the world as we move further into 21st century."

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