Pakistan President's visit strengthens bilateral ties

Sri Lanka -Pakistan join communiqué

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari was in Sri Lanka on a State visit from November 27 to 30 at the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Pakistan President was accorded a ceremonial welcome on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport on November 27. President Rajapaksa hosted a banquet in Zardari's honour. The two leaders also held official talks.

The official discussions between the two sides were marked by friendship, mutual respect and understanding. President Rajapaksa and his Pakistan counterpart agreed that the civilizational heritage of Sri Lanka and of Pakistan provided the foundation to build a vibrant and multi-faceted partnership. Sri Lanka - Pakistan relations have matured and diversified with the passage of time, encompassing key areas of contemporary relevance.

In keeping with their vision of the future of Sri Lanka - Pakistan relations, the two leaders agreed that there is much scope to increase cooperation and to further harness the enormous potential available for consolidating and strengthening the bilateral partnership by building on shared values, leveraging common concerns and interests, enhancing connectivity between the two countries, increasing the synergies of their economies and, reinforcing the institutional framework for cooperation.

Both leaders agreed on the need for an increase in the frequency of high level visits between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, including at the Summit level and at the level of the Parliaments, especially based on Parliamentary Friendship Associations established in each of the national Parliaments.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of the following:

* Visa Abolition Agreement for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports.

* Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation;

* Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs matters;

* Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Arts and Creative Studies between the National College of Arts of Pakistan and the University of Visual and Performing Arts of Sri Lanka

* The President of Pakistan conveyed his felicitations to President Rajapaksa on the decisive defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka, after many years of conflict. President Rajapaksa who reiterated appreciation for the assistance provided by Pakistan during Sri Lanka's fight against terrorism, also elaborated on the steps taken by the Government to return normalcy to the country, after a 30 year conflict. Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and agreed to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism.

* The President of Pakistan expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka's humanitarian assistance during unprecedented floods in Pakistan in July- August this year.

* Both leaders agreed to promote a dialogue on security and defence issues relevant to their bilateral relationship, including through high-level contacts between Defence Forces and the training of Security Forces personnel.

* Both leaders agreed to promote active cooperation in countering the menace of narcotics and illicit trafficking of narcotic substances and to establish mechanisms and modalities for such cooperation.

* Both leaders directed that officials of the Finance and Economic Ministries should meet soon to discuss measures to promote trade between the two countries, including through the extension of innovative lines of credit and/or barter.

* Both leaders expressed satisfaction that the Free Trade Agreement signed in 2002, has significantly enhanced bilateral trade. Pakistan is Sri Lanka's second largest trading partner in South Asia. They observed in this regard that the Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters signed during the visit, is bound to facilitate the trade in goods. The two leaders noted that the undoubted potential for greater investment and joint ventures between the two countries should be leveraged for expanded collaboration, including in the sugar production and cement manufacturing sectors. It was also resolved to encourage collaboration between the two countries in the gem and jewellery industry.

* Both leaders agreed to promote cooperation between the two countries in the financial and banking sectors and to establish close links between the Chambers of Commerce of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

* President Rajapaksa and his Pakistan counterpart reiterated their mutual commitment to greater bilateral economic cooperation. In this context, both leaders agreed to hold the 10th Session of the Joint Economic Commission, which is co-Chaired at Ministerial level in the first quarter of 2011 to fashion a fuller agenda of bilateral cooperation in various fields.

It was decided that Sri Lanka should receive at the earliest possible an official level delegation from Pakistan, which would in association with its Sri Lanka counterparts discuss and identify the technical arrangements for follow-up on the understandings reached between the two Presidents. The technical arrangements in turn would facilitate the Joint Commission to agree on and issue the necessary policy directives, for the further expansion of the bilateral economic relationship.

* The two leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in Agriculture. They directed that the provisions of the MoU should be utilized to build a strong bilateral programme of collaboration in the Agriculture and Fisheries sectors, including in food processing and fish processing.

* The Pakistan President expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka's offer to assist the health and education sectors in Pakistan, through extending training of trainers of nurses and teachers of Mathematics and Science.

* Welcoming the growing connectivity between the two countries, the two leaders called for greater cooperation in tourism and the promotion of people-to-people contacts, as well as the increase of direct flights and the establishment of direct shipping services.

* The leaders agreed to work together as appropriate to preserve and promote the respective national civilizational heritages and treasures, including the rich Gandhara heritage. The President of Pakistan offered to hold an exhibition on the Gandhara Civilization in Colombo in cooperation with the Sri Lanka Government to mark the 2600th Year of the Attainment of Enlightenment of Buddha, President Rajapaksa welcomed this offer which would increase among the people of the two countries, a better awareness of the aspects of cultural heritage shared by both nations. President Rajapaksa also welcomed that in response to the invitation of the President of Pakistan, a delegation of Buddhist monks and scholars would visit Gandhara, under the facilitation of the Pakistan authorities.

* Recognizing the immense potential that exists in the two countries to tap knowledge as a driver of economic and social advancement, the two leaders agreed that the two countries should enhance links in the educational sector. The initiative by Pakistan to set up a Chair on Urdu and Pakistan Studies in a University in Sri Lanka, was therefore welcomed.

* The leaders reiterated the importance of continuing to work together in regional and international fora.