Pakistan and Sri Lanka are two important countries in South Asia and they look forward to strengthen their relations, said Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani during a meeting with Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, G.L. Peiris, here on Friday. The prime minister encouraged Sri Lanka to move forward on negotiations with Pakistan on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Gilani also welcomed a meeting between the two countries to be held in August in Colombo. Peiris, who is currently on a two-day visit to Pakistan said that Sri Lanka suffered badly due to terrorism and so has Pakistan. The countries of the region should remain committed to get rid of this menace, he said.
Gilani expressed satisfaction at the resolve of both Pakistan and India to continue their bilateral dialogue. He said that both countries should deal with terrorists' against their designs to stop the dialogue once again. He said that Pakistan strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Mumbai.
The prime minister emphasised on peace in the region and said that Pakistan wanted to maintain friendly relations with all its neighbours including India, Iran and Afghanistan. He said that stability in Afghanistan has great importance for Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of reconciliation in their country. Pakistan looked forward to receiving President of Sri Lanka Mahindra Rajapakse in November this year.
President Zardari's visited Sri Lank last year. Such high-level visits would contribute to deepen bilateral relationship between the two countries, the prime minister said. He also called for further increasing of trade between the two countries. He observed that it was important to hold regular meeting of the Joint Economic Commission that met last week after a lapse of six years.
He emphasised that the two countries should cooperate with each other in the fields of education, particularly training of nurses and teachers. Collaboration between the two countries in sectors such as cement, sugar, pharmaceuticals and gems and jewellery would further strengthen their relationship, he added.
Prime Minister Gilani also offered to assist Sri Lanka in the preparations of hosting the Asian Games. Peiris said that a soft-term credit loan from Pakistan would enable Sri Lanka to forge co-operation in these sectors. Gilani advised Pieris to have meetings during his stay in Pakistan with Chairman, Board of Investment as well as the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Karachi. The two countries need to forge a strong economic partnership in order to tap their potential in various sectors, he said.
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