Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad conducted wide-ranging discussions on a myriad of issues with H.E. the President Rajapaksa, which were attended by Ministers and senior officials of both the sides. The discussions encompassed issues ranging from bilateral, regional to global. Both the Presidents stressed their firm commitment to further enhance mutual cooperation in the political, economic, trade, cultural, educational, scientific and technological spheres.
The two Presidents agreed to broaden and deepen their bilateral cooperation, in a spirit of mutual goodwill and friendship. They also agreed to continue regular high-level exchanges between the two countries.
The two Presidents briefed each other on issues of common interest and current developments in their respective countries as well as in the regions.
The two sides underscored the potential for expansion of bilateral economic co-operation and trade, which would greatly strengthen the existing bonds of friendship and co-operation between the two countries. It would also be conducive to the common progress and prosperity of the peoples of Iran and Sri Lanka thus, encouraging the private sectors of both the countries to commit investments and be engaged in commercial activity.
Recalling the visit of Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka to Iran in November 2007, and the Agreements and MOUs entered into force between the two countries in the realm of power supply and irrigation as well as the expansion of the oil refinery facility in Sri Lanka, both the sides expressed their deep satisfaction at the ceremonial inauguration of the Uma Oya multi purpose development project and the Sapugaskanda oil refinery project respectively. These mega projects are assisted by funds from the Government of Iran.
Both the sides also noted with satisfaction, the conclusion of the following MOUs and Agreements during the visit of the President of Iran to Sri Lanka. The MOUs/ Agreements are as follows:
(i) The MOU on the Establishment of the Political Consultation Mechanism between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of Iran.
(ii) The MOU between Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Development Foundation of Sri Lanka and Mostazafan Foundation of the Islamic Revolution of Iran to build and operate "Iranian Club-Colombo" in Diyagama, Homagama, Sri Lanka.
(iii) Heads of Agreement (HOA) between the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company.
(iv) Financing Agreement between the Ministry of Finance & Planning of Sri Lanka and the Export Development Bank of Iran for the Uma Oya multi-purpose development project.
(v) Contract Agreement between the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management of Sri Lanka and Farab Energy and Water Projects Company of Iran for the Uma Oya multi-purpose development project.
Given the increasing vitality of regional co-operation, both the sides agreed to welcome and support various initiatives for the strengthening of such co-operation in Asia, inter alia, such as the Economic Co-operation Organization (ECO), South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC), Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation (IOR-ARC), Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia – Middle East Dialogue (AMED) and the Colombo Plan among others.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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