ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday said Pakistan greatly values its ties with Sri Lanka which are based on mutual trust and shared interests in maintaining regional peace, security and stability.
He was talking to Sri Lanka's Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal WDRMJ Goonetilleke, who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr here on Tuesday.
President Zardari said Sri Lanka being a gateway to billions of people and Pakistan with its unique geo-strategic location and huge potential, needed to forge a partnership to further strengthen the existing relationship.
Expressing satisfaction over security cooperation between the two countries, the President said the challenge for the two countries was to translate their equation into economic terms for the benefit of the people.
He said there was a need to increase the synergies of the economies of two countries and reinforce the institutional framework for enhancing trade between the two countries.
He expressed hope that the recent Joint Economic Council meeting and subsequent Technical Level meeting for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement would lend impetus to the economic ties.
The President said the two countries needed to join hands for achieving shared objective and to make the region a hub of economic prosperity and social development.
He said both the countries needed to take advantage of each others' expertise in various fields.
He especially thanked the Sri Lankan government for assisting Pakistan in combating dengue fever in Punjab.
He said Pakistan offered great opportunities for Sri Lanka to benefit in various fields such as light engineering, fresh fruits and vegetables, processed goods, textiles, cement, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals.
The President said the two countries were the worst sufferers of militancy and needed to join hands to fight it. He stressed the need to concentrate on socio-economic development of the people to contain such proclivities.
Air Chief Marshal Goonetilleke appreciated sacrifices made by Pakistani people in the war against militancy. He also appreciated Pakistan's assistance to Sri Lanka in meeting its requirements.
The Sri Lankan official was accompanied by Air Chief Marshal (R) Jayalath Weerakkody, Sri Lankan High Commissioner, Maj Gen NJ Walgama and Gp Capt JA Nanayakkara.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Khalid Shameem Wyne, Secretary General to the President M. Salman Faruqui and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar and other senior officials were present.
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