Nov 30, Colombo: The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari concluded his four-day official visit to Sri Lanka today, vowing to enhance bilateral links between the two nations to cooperate on combating terrorism.
During his visit, Zardari, who arrived in the country on November 27 held bilateral discussions with the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratna, visited the Sri Lankan parliament and addressed the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentarians' Friendship Association, and addressed a business forum.
The official discussions between the two sides were marked by friendship, mutual respect and understanding, a joint-statement issued at the conclusion of his visit said today.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka inked three key agreements on abolishing visa for holders of diplomatic and official Passports, cooperation, and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters and cooperation in the field of arts and creative studies. A Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural cooperation was also signed during the Pakistani President's visit.
The two leaders have agreed that there is much scope to increase cooperation and to further harness the enormous potential available for consolidating and strengthening the bilateral partnership, the joint statement said.
Both leaders have agreed that there should be more high level visits between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, including at the summit level and at the parliamentary level.
They have condemned terrorism and agreed to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and to promote a dialogue on security and defence issues relevant to their bilateral relationship, through high-level contacts between Defence Forces and the training of Security Forces personnel.
The two presidents have agreed to promote cooperation between the two countries in the financial and banking sectors and to establish close links between the Chambers of Commerce of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The leaders noted the need to enhance the connectivity between the two countries and called for greater cooperation in tourism as well as to increase the direct flights between the countries and establish direct shipping services.
Strengthening the bilateral programme of collaboration in the Agriculture and Fisheries sectors, promoting cooperation between the two countries in the financial and banking sectors, and enhancing links in the educational sector are among other areas the two leaders have agreed to cooperate.