FM Bogollagama holds talks with Pak FM

(February 01, Islamabad, Sri Lanka Guardian) 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 Partnership 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 shipping 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 scholarships 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.