Turkey, Lanka in greater resolve to combat terrorism

Enhanced trade and economic relations:

Turkey: Many important agreements and understandings were reached at the bilateral talks that took place between President Abdullah Gul of Turkey and President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Palace in Ankara yesterday.

The bilateral talks centred on the strength of the multi-faceted relationship enjoyed by the two countries, which date back over 150 years, which will be enhanced by this first ever visit by a Sri Lankan Head of State to the Republic of Turkey.

“My visit to Turkey would be a good opportunity to boost bilateral relations,” President Rajapaksa said at a joint news conference.

“Counter terrorism is a topic that has been on the agenda of Turkey and Sri Lanka for a long time. There are no good or bad terrorists. It would be to the benefit of our two countries to develop cooperation against terror,” he said.

“The agreement on air transportation that has been signed today will bring the peoples of our two countries closer to each other. I invite the Turkish people to visit Sri Lanka.”

President Rajapaksa thanked the Government and the people of Turkey on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka for the speedy and considerable assistance given to the people of Sri Lanka after the catastrophic Tsunami of December 2005.

President Abdullah Gul said that Turkey welcomed the cooperation of Turkey and Sri Lankan in fight against terrorism.

“Turkey is pleased with the cooperation of Turkey and Sri Lanka, two countries that have suffered much from terrorism, in international fight against terrorism,” Gul told a joint press conference with Sri Lanka’s President Rajapaksa in the Turkish capital of Ankara. This is the first ever visit of a Sri Lankan president to Turkey.

During the press conference, Gul hoped that this visit would further improve bilateral relations and expressed expectation that the trade volume would reach US$ 100 million by the end of 2008.

President Rajapaksa told the conference that his current visit to Turkey would be a springboard to develop bilateral relations.

He said that the Sri Lankan government paid high attention to develop cooperation with Turkey in all areas, including counter terrorism.

Among the matters that featured high in the talks was the potential for enhanced trade and economic relations between Sri Lanka and Turkey, and both parties agreed on the legal architecture to be established for the expansion these relations.

A treaty on Avoidance of Double Taxation and an Investment Protection Agreement were identified as requirements for early conclusion.

Among the areas recognized and underscored for greater cooperation between Sri Lanka and Turkey were Customs and Tariff regimes, Maritime activities, Tourism, the construction sector, education and air transportation.

The setting up of a Joint Commission between the two countries was agreed in order to facilitate the implementation stage of these proposal and understandings.

In the context of challenges that both countries ace from terrorism, both Presidents agreed on the need for greater resolve to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and cooperating in seeking to eradicate the threat of terrorism. In this regard, there was agreement on the need for the early conclusion of agreements on dealing with the illicit trafficking in narcotics, and on counter-terrorism activities.

The two leaders also discussed the issue of illegal immigrants. The conclusion of an Extradition Treaty between the two countries later in the day was appreciated as a positive move in this direction.

The Sri Lankan President cited the needs for easy access to Sri Lanka Tea to the Turkish market, which is a traditional importer of tea, and sought a concessionary tariff regime for this major export from Sri Lanka.

The discussions concluded with President Rajapaksa inviting the Turkish President to visit Sri Lanka, which wads well received by President Gul.

Following the bi-lateral discussions a Treaty of Extradition and an Air Services Agreement were signed between Sri Lanka and Turkey, with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minster Rohitha Bogollagama signing both on behalf of Sri Lanka, with the Extradition Treaty being for Turkey by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Mr. Mehmet Sahir and the Air Services Agreement by Turkey’s Deputy Minister for Aviation and the Environment.