Pakistan and Sri Lanka to enhance bilateral cooperation

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday held a meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, discussing a vast range of issues deciding to further enhance and promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries in trade, defence, technical education and other sectors.

A one-on-one meeting was occurred between Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani visiting Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa at the Prime Minister House. The Sri Lankan head of the state is on a on a three-day visit to Pakistan to discuss the bilateral ties and regional situation.

According to the state-run news agency, the premier while speaking to the Sri Lankan president emphasised on the need for exploring the true potential of trade between the two states. The commonness of views on different international and regional matters was the trademark of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, he added.

Rajapaksa while speaking in the meeting stated that Sri Lanka was looking forward to the expansion of trade and economic ties with Pakistan and other neighboring countries. He also appreciated Pakistan’s support and cooperation in eliminating terrorism in Sri Lanka and added that the relations between the two countries have matured and diversified with time.

The two leaders witnessed the signing ceremony of three memorandums of understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in trade, technical education and media between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The first MoU was signed for cooperation in media by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Aishaq Awan on behalf of Pakistan while Minister for External Affairs Prof GL Peiris signed on Sri Lanka’s behalf.

Advisor to PM on Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh signed the second MoU while Sri Lankan Minister for External Affairs Prof GL Peiris signed the agreement on behalf of their respective government for credit of US dollars 200 million for improving Pakistan’s export from Sri Lanka.

The third MoU was signed by Secretary Ministry of Professional and Technical Education Qamar Zaman Chaudhry and Secretary to President of Sri Lanka Lalith Weerathunga on behalf of Sri Lankan government for enhancing cooperation in technical training in different fields.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Feb 11 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.