PM Sharif looks forward to attending CHOGM in Sri Lanka
Saturday, 24 August 2013 00:00
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External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris called on Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan in Islamabad on Friday. He conveyed the warm felicitations of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Prime Minister and the new Government of Pakistan, and handed over to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif the President’s letter of invitation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo in November. The Prime Minister responded that he looks forward to attending the summit and wished the event every success.
The Minister of External Affairs expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation of the steadfast support by Pakistan to the country in all international fora, including the Human Rights Council. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assured the visiting Minister of Pakistan’s continued goodwill and support.
Minister Peiris briefed the Prime Minister about the current activities of the LTTE’s international network and requested the Government of Pakistan to be vigilant with regard to such activities and to share relevant information with Sri Lanka. The two sides expressed satisfaction with defence cooperation and noted that Pakistan will participate in the upcoming Sri Lanka Defence Seminar and the Galle Dialogue Maritime Conference.
In the context of initiatives by the two countries to increase bilateral trade to US$ 2 billion by 2015, they discussed means to strengthen the Free Trade Agreement entered into in 2005 and the Joint Economic Commission. Specific initiatives to expand cooperation in the fields of agriculture, education and health were discussed, and practical measures considered.
Minister Peiris identified, as specific areas appropriate for enhanced collaboration between the two countries, the cement and sugar industries in which Pakistan has considerable expertise, as well as micro-credit and the small and medium industrial sector.
The two sides reviewed ongoing discussions between the Central Banks of Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif readily acceded to the request by Prof. Peiris regarding encouragement of the highest levels of the private sector in Pakistan to participate in the Business Forum, which will be held in Colombo on the sidelines of CHOGM.
The Prime Minister commended the remarkable strides made by Sri Lanka in respect of development and reconciliation in recent years. He appreciated the detailed briefing given to him by Minister Peiris, and said that the understanding and support of Pakistan will continue to be available to Sri Lanka.
