Sri Lanka and Iran ties boosted by Presidential visit
[November 26, 2004] 

At the conclusion of President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s two day official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran the two countries issued a joint communiqué in which both sides expressed satisfaction at the official visit of the Sri Lankan President to the Islamic Republic of Iran. It said the Preferential Trade Agreement and the Memoranda of Understanding entered into during the visit would give added impetus and dynamism to the close bilateral relations between the two countries.

Full text of the joint communiqué:

Her Excellency Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President of Sri Lanka visited the Islamic Republic of Iran from 24th to 25th November 2004 at the invitation of the President of Iran, H.E. Seyd Mohammad Khatami. She was accompanied by Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. A.D. Susil Premjayantha, Minister of Power and Energy and senior officials.

The President of Sri Lanka held wide ranging discussions with President Mohammad Khatami on issues of mutual interest. The discussions reflected the breadth and the depth of close and friendly ties that exist between the two countries.

The President of Sri Lanka called on the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyd Al-Khameinei. She also met Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the Chairman of the Expediency Council and former President of Iran.

The discussions reaffirmed that the friendly relations and mutual understanding between the two countries is the basis for further promotion of cooperation in various fields. It was agreed to further expand relations in political, economic, commercial and cultural fields as well as to promote people to people contacts. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the objectives and principles of the United Nations and to the accepted norms of international law. The two countries will regularly exchange views and engage in consultations on international and regional issues at highest levels.

During the visit of the President of Sri Lanka a Preferential Trade Agreement and Memoranda of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Environment, on Health Cooperation, on Friendship and Cooperation and on Exemption of Visas for Diplomatic and Service/Official passports, were signed.

Both sides also agreed to promote cooperation in the fields of maritime transport, telecommunications, media, culture, civil aviation and tourism, and to encourage direct contact between the Parliaments, universities, institutions of higher education and research centers of the two countries. All efforts will also be made for the promotion of scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries including the exchange of professors, students, researchers and experts.

Both sides will encourage tourism, both out-bound and in-bound. Sri Lanka tourism authorities will participate in Travel Marts in Iran and Iranian tourism authorities in Travel Marts in Sri Lanka. The possibility of signing a Cooperation Agreement in Tourism will be explored. Action will be taken to operationalise a Bilateral Air Services Agreement with a view to establishing direct air links between Tehran and Colombo.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRFC), Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and the Independent Television Network (ITN) will cooperate in areas such as programme exchange, training and modernization.

Private sector business cooperation in areas such as LPG, petro/agro chemical products (finished and semi finished), food items, agriculture related equipment and products, fisheries, transportation, logistics and other trading activities will be further fostered between the two countries. The two sides will promote cooperation in tea industry and marketing.

Both sides expressed satisfaction that the official visit of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka to the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Agreement and MoUs signed during the visit, would give added impetus and dynamism to the close bilateral relations between the two countries.

Tehran.

25th November 2004.

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Last Updated Date: November 24, 2004 - 11:00 GMT