Pakistan-Sri Lanka to strengthen multi-faceted, multi-sectoral cooperation

Second Foreign Secretary level consultations:

COLOMBO: The Second Foreign Secretary Level Bilateral Consultations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka were held recently in Islamabad.

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona and the Pakistan delegation was by Riaz Mohammad Khan, Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, states a Pakistan High Commission press release.

Both sides discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern and noted the similar approaches for the promotion of peace, stability and socio-economic progress.

Both sides also agreed on the need to further strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries.

The two sides committed to work closely to strengthen multi-faceted and multi-sectoral cooperation in the fields of trade, education, culture, tourism and defence.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka maintain close and friendly relations, manifested through regular contacts and high level visits.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz met the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of SAARC Summit held in New Delhi on April 3, 2007 and during the World Economic Forum held in Amman, Jordon on May 18, 2007.

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries also met during the SAARC Summit in New Delhi.

Earlier this year, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama accompanied by Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona visited Pakistan between February 15 and 17.

While expressing satisfaction on the progress made by the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), both sides agreed on increased efforts for boosting bilateral trade. Both sides stressed the need to expand the scope of the FTA by including Trade in Services, Investment and harmonisation of customs procedures.

Both sides discussed the possibility of Pakistan’s participation in oil and gas exploration in Sri Lanka. The two sides explored opportunities for joint ventures in textile and tourism sectors.

While appreciating the expertise of the Pakistan Railways (PR), the Sri Lankan side expressed interest in involving PR in expansion projects of Sri Lanka Railways.

It was agreed to increase people to people contacts by exploiting opportunities under the Cultural Exchange Programme signed between the two countries. Pakistan agreed to facilitate religious tourism from Sri Lanka to benefit from the rich Buddhist heritage of Pakistan.

The two sides expected that progress will be made towards increasing air links between the two countries during the Air Service Agreement talks scheduled to be held in August this year, particularly in view of potential for increased tourism.