Iran backs stability in Sri Lanka

Iran's President Ahmadinejad (R) talks to Sri Lankan counterpart

(November, 26, Tehran, Sri Lanka Guardian) President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports Sri Lanka's stability, independence and integrity.
"Progress and power of Sri Lanka will benefit the region. Both Iran and Sri Lanka advocate promotion of peace and amity in the world," Ahmadinejad added in private talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, in Tehran, Monday.

Both countries share historical, economic and cultural potentials that would help expand mutual relations, Ahmadinejad said, adding "Tehran and Colombo should bolster economic, trade and political ties and cooperation at international levels."

The Iranian president added that Sri Lanka and all regional countries should be powerful and advanced, and expressed hope that Rajapaksa's visit would be a major stride toward expansion of relations.

The Sri Lankan president, for his part, said that both countries have capabilities to boost cooperation in various fields, adding that his country supports Iran's political stance at international circles.

Meanwhile, Iran will build a 150-megawatt electricity power plant in Sri Lanka, the director of the Asia-Pacific Commercial Department of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) announced here on Monday.

Parviz Rezaii said that the construction of the hydroelectric power plant was discussed by the Sri Lankan ambassador to Tehran and officials of the Export Development Bank of Iran (EDBI), the Export Guarantee Fund of Iran (EGFI), the Iran Foreign Investment Company (IFIC), and the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

The strengthening of Iran-Sri Lanka relations depends on the expansion of bilateral trade ties, especially in the fields of technical and engineering services, he added.

Iran-Sri Lanka trade hit $730 million in Iranian calendar year 1385 (March 2006-March 2007), Rezaii said.

(Agencies)