FM Bogollagama holds talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who is in Pakistan on an official
visit called on the Foreign Minister of Pakistan Inam -Ul -Haq on 31st
January. The two leaders held bilateral consultations, as well as shared
views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The Ministers expressed happiness over the excellent relations between
the two countries and reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen the
existing bilateral cooperation in various fields including trade,
investment, education, culture, tourism and defence.
During the talks they reviewed the progress made in strengthening trade
and economic cooperation since the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
was signed. Both sides recognized the need to expand the scope of the
FTA by including trade in services, investment and trade facilitation.
In this regard Minister Bogollagama highlighted the need to conclude a
Comprehensive Partner****p Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries.
They also stressed the need to work together to achieve the target of
US$ one billion in bilateral trade in the next few years. Discussions
also covered some specific areas for trade promotion, joint venture and
investments.
The Pakistan Minister said that the request of Sri Lanka for a long term
multiple entry visas for bona fide businessmen is favourably considered
and in this regard necessary instructions will be issued for
implementation. Further the Pakistan side informed that Sri Lanka's
request for reducing work visa fee for Sri Lankan workers in Pakistan on
a reciprocal basis will be communicated to the concerned authorities for
consideration. The two Ministers also agreed to expedite conclusion of
the Agreement on exemption of visa for diplomats and officials of the
two countries.
The Ministers emphasized the need to enhance people to people contact in
order to make the cooperation far reaching and productive in terms of
bringing the peoples of the two countries closer. In this regard the Sri
Lankan Minister stressed the need for effective connectivity measures
between the two countries and proposed a liberal and flexible air
services arrangement between the two countries. The Pakistan side
informed that the bilateral meeting on air services which will be held
soon in Pakistan will look into the possibilities of revising the
existing Agreement as appropriate. The Ministers also felt the need to
revive the ****pping service between the two countries. Under the subject
of strengthening connectivity, the two sides also agreed to implement
the Bilateral Cultural Programme. Further promotion of bilateral
tourism, especially Buddhist pilgrim tourism also featured in the
discussions. In this regard the Pakistan Minister proposed interaction
between tour operators in the two countries to devise a plan of action
for mutual benefit.
The Pakistani Minister appreciated the training assistance provided by
Sri Lanka in the field of gem cutting. He also underlined the need to
increase the number of scholar****ps in various fields to each other as
well as implement the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Education
for strengthening the cooperation in the field of education.
The talks were held in an extremely warm and cordial atmosphere and
served to strengthen and expand the close friendly and mutually
beneficial relations particularly in the economic sphere. Minister
Bogollagama was accompanied by Dr. W. B. Dorakumbure, Sri Lanka's High
Commissioner in Pakistan, Grace Asirwatham, Director General/ South Asia
and SAARC , Ravinatha Aryasinha , Director General /Public
Communications, M.A. Abdul Rasheed, First Secretary, Sri Lanka High
Commission, Islamabad and George Cooke, Assistant Director, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
Courtesy: Sri Lanka High Commission - Islamabad, Pakistan
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For genuine Situation Re****t visit:
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http://www.army.lk/index1.php
http://www.nmatnet.com/
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Worth to look following to see how brutal Tamil Tiger Terrorists are
Child Soldiers of LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in Sri Lanka
http://www.spur.asn.au/childwar.htm
Ethnic Cleansing in Sri Lanka
http://www.spur.asn.au/ethnic_cleansing_in_sri_lanka.htm
LTTE TAMIL TIGER ATROCITIES
http://www.spur.asn.au/ltteatrp.htm
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