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| Sunday, 17 October 2004 |
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Expediting FTA with Pakistan The first Foreign Secretary level bilateral consultations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan were held on Friday in Colombo. The Pakistan delegation was led by Riaz Khokhar, Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and the Sri Lanka delegation by S. Palihakkara, Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka. On areas relating to bilateral economic cooperation, both sides agreed to expedite the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It was also agreed to schedule the next meeting of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Joint Economic Commission in the first quarter of 2005. The matters 'discussed included co-operation in tourism and archaeology, a proposed agreement on scientific and technical co-operation, strengthening the cultural exchange programme, air services negotiations, a proposed MoU on co-operation between the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and the Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP), a proposed agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the transfer of sentenced persons. In areas relating to co-operation in education, Sri Lanka thanked Pakistan for increased scholarships for Sri Lankan students in Pakistan as well as for offering training to Sri Lankan diplomats in the Foreign Services Institute of Pakistan. On matters relating to regional co-operation, Sri Lanka expressed appreciation for Pakistan's effective Chairmanship of SAARC since the 12th SAARC Summit was held in Islamabad. Both countries agreed that collective contributions should be made towards furthering regional cooperation. The visiting Foreign Secretary also called on Lakshman Kadirgamar, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and Prof. W. A. Wiswa Warnapala, Deputy Foreign, Minister, during his stay in Colombo. |
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