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| Tuesday, 23 November 2004 |
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by Manjula Fernando The proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will come into effect before January, visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said yesterday. "We are close to operationalising the FTA. Hopefully it will become operational before President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's visit to Pakistan in January," Aziz told a joint gathering of business, professional and media representatives at the Colombo Hilton. "There are a few minor issues needing adjustments. A meeting of Trade Ministry representatives will be held in Islamabad in two days to finalise the agreement which calls for enhanced co-operation between the two nations mainly in tourism, cultural and economic sectors," he said. President Kumaratunga has accepted an invitation extended by the Pakistani Government through their visiting Prime Minister. She is expected to visit Pakistan early January. Emphasising the need for a peaceful solution to the ethnic strife, the Pakistani Prime Minister expressed his government's support to the Sri Lankan peace process and for a solution within a united nation. "Being two nations which has supported each other in their times of need, we hope to maintain close ties with Sri Lanka in all areas," Aziz stressed. Replying a question from the audience whether the proposed Sri Lanka India defence cooperation agreement was taken up during discussions with the President, the Pakistani Premier responded in the negative. But Pakistani-Sri Lanka defence ties were discussed at length, he added. Sri Lanka is the largest recipient of military training by Pakistan. Aziz, who visited Sri Lanka in his capacity as SAARC Chairman, discussed many issues concerning regional co-operation with Sri Lankan leaders. The Pakistani leader promised they would not allow SAARC to suffer because of the cross border conflict between India and Pakistan. "We initiated a dialogue during the Islamabad SAARC meeting with India on the Kashmir issue and we hope to take this forward to pursue a solution peacefully," he said. He will visit New Delhi en route to discuss the Kashmir issue and other bilateral and regional issues with Indian leaders. The Pakistani leader met President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. The Prime Minister was accompanied by a 30 member delegation comprising six Ministers and his defence Secretary. |
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