President Pervez Musharaff of Pakistan reiterated his country's
opposition to terrorism in all its manifestations, its readiness to
strike against terrorism and assured Sri Lanka of all assistance to
defeat terrorism in the country.
This assurance came when the Pakistani President met with Sri Lankan
President Mahinda Rajapaksa in China today. Two South Asian leaders
are at present in China to participate in the 2008 Annual Conference
of the BOAO Forum for Asia.
President Musharaff, who expressed his condolences at the
assassination of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, condemned such acts
of terror which underlined the need for its elimination.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa congratulated President Musharaff for the
successful holding of peaceful elections in the country, and his
commitment to restoring democracy in Pakistan. He explained to the
Pakistani leader the actions being taken to defeat the terrorism of
the LTTE in Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka's own actions to restore
democracy to the entire country, which is already seen in the
elections that were held to local bodies in the East and the
forthcoming elections to the Eastern Provincial Council. Sri Lanka
President Mahinda Rajapaksa with Pakistan's President Pervez
Musharaff
In discussions on trade and economic relations between the two
countries, President Rajapaksa explained the need to enhance the
existing Free Trade Agreement between the two countries to a
Comprehensive Economic Partner****p, which view found favour with
President Musharaff.
The Pakistani leader explained Pakistan's success in holding free and
fair elections, and said the Foreign Policy of Pakistan remained
unchanged with a keen interest to strengthen the existing good
relations between the two countries.
President Musharaff also thanked President Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka for
the clear stance taken in sup****t of Pakistan over the recent moves by
some member states to suspend the country from member****p of the
Commonwealth. He was appreciative of the understanding Sri Lanka had
shown of the situation in Pakistan, and noted this as an example of
the lasting good relations between the two countries and their
leaders.Mahinda Rajapakse with Pervez Musharaff of Pakistan in China
(Pix Sudath Silva)
The Pakistani President said he looked forward to a successful SAARC
Summit to be held in Sri Lanka later this year.
President Musharaff was accompanied by the Pakistani Foreign Minister
Shah Mahmud Qure**** and Foreign Minister Ahmed Mukhtar.
Associated with President Mahinda Rajapaksa were Minister of Foreign
Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Ex****t Development and
International Trade G. L. Peiris and Secretary to the President Lalith
Weeratunga.
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