SL, Pakistan expand ties further with three MoUs

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani discussed ways and means to consolidate economic cooperation between the two countries.

President Rajapaksa, who was on a two day official visit in Pakistan, held bilateral talks with the Pakistan Prime Minister on Saturday at the official residence of Pakistan Prime Minister in Islamabad. President Rajapaksa returned to Sri Lanka yesterday.

The main objective of this discussion was to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

On this occasion the Government of Pakistan expressed its willingness to offer assistance to Sri Lanka in various ways, including new technology and equipment being used in Pakistan in a number of fields including agriculture and road construction.

Prime Minister Gilani also expressed willingness to provide opportunities for nurses’ training in Pakistan.

President Rajapaksa invited Pakistan investors to harness investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.

The Pakistan Prime Minister appreciated the progress the achieved regionally by Sri Lanka.

At the end of the bilateral talks, three Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Accordingly, the MoU on media cooperation was signed by the Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris on behalf of Sri Lanka and the Pakistan Minister of Media Firdous Aishaq Awan on behalf of Pakistan.

The MoU on the line of credit amounting to US$ 200 million offered to Sri Lanka was signed by the Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris on behalf of Sri Lanka and the Adviser to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Hafeez Sheikh on behalf of Pakistan.

The MoU on vocational training in both countries was signed by the Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga on behalf of Sri Lanka and the Secretary to the Ministry Vocational training in Pakistan Qumar-Us Zamam Chaudry on behalf of Pakistan.

Deputy Ministers Duminda Dissanayake and Faiszer Musthapha and Parliamentarian Sajin De Vass Gunawardena participated on the occasion.