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| Saturday, 16 October 2004 |
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Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar who called on his Sri Lankan counterpart yesterday announced that as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation of friendship Pakistan will donate an ultra sound scanner for the children's ward of the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama and an ambulance to the Health Ministry. At the meeting, both agreed on the usefulness of carrying out consultation at Foreign Secretary level and emphasised the importance of having meetings on an annual basis. The first Foreign Secretary level bilateral consultations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan were held on October 15. The Pakistan delegation was led by Riaz Khokhar, Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and the Sri Lanka delegation was led by S. Palihakkara, Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka. On areas relating to bilateral economic cooperation, both sides agreed to expedite the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It was also agreed to schedule the next meeting of the Pakistan - Sri Lanka Joint Economic Commission in the first quarter of 2005, a press release from the Foreign Ministry said. Ongoing cooperation in several other areas was reviewed. The matters 'discussed included cooperation in tourism and archaeology, a proposed agreement on scientific and technical cooperation, strengthening the cultural exchange program, air services negotiations, a proposed MoU on cooperation between the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and the Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCAP), a proposed agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the transfer of sentenced persons. It was also agreed that both sides would benefit from exploring the possibilities for employment of Sri Lanka professionals in Pakistan. In areas relating to cooperation in education, Sri Lanka thanked Pakistan for increased scholarships for Sri Lankan students in Pakistan as well as for offering training to Sri Lankan diplomats in the Foreign Services Institute of Pakistan. On matters relating to regional cooperation, Sri Lanka expressed appreciation for Pakistan's effective Chairmanship of SAARC since the 12th SAARC Summit was held in Islamabad. Both countries agreed that collective contributions should be made towards furthering regional cooperation. The visiting Foreign Secretary also called on Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, Deputy Foreign Minister Prof. W. A. Wiswa Warnapala. |
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