ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and Sri Lanka have agreed
to enhance bilateral trade up to $1 billion per annum besides increasing cooperation in various fields.
In a joint news conference after holding talks with the visiting Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Islamabad on Monday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that both the countries signed six agreements with an objective to enhance mutual cooperation in the fields of sports, shipping, tourism, economic development, anti-narcoticis and disaster management. He said that these agreements will pave way for further expanding bilateral ties.
Sharif said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have similar view on almost all regional and international issues and we discussed in length bilateral relations as well as regional issues. He said that we also discussed cooperation in the field of defence besides other sectors.
“Pakistan intends to maintain good relations with all neighbouring countries and give special priority to promote its ties with Sri Lanka,” the prime minister said.
In his remarks, the Sri Lankan president said that his country intends to further increase trade volume with Pakistan besides intensifying mutual cooperation for the benefit of our peoples.
“We need to further enhance people to people contact and joint research activities in various fields with Pakistan,” Maithripala Sirisena said.
The Sri Lankan president invited the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to resume its flights for Colombo.
The Sri Lankan president expressed profound gratitude to Pakistan for extending support to eliminate terrorism from his country. He also invited Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit Colombo for further cementing Pak-Sri Lanka relations.
Earlier, the two leaders held one-on-one meeting at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad. Later, the meeting was followed by delegation-level talks.
During the meeting, both the sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields besides discussing regional and international issues.
On Sunday, the Sri Lankan president arrived in Islamabad on a three-day official visit to Pakistan. He will also hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain during his stay in Islamabad.
