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JOINT COMMUNIQUE President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President of Sri Lanka was on a State visit to Pakistan from February 7-9 February 2005 at the invitation of the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf. She was accompanied by Lakshman Kadirgamar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ferial Ashraff, Minister of Housing and Construction Industries, Eastern Province Education and Irrigation Development and Senior officials. A High Level Business Delegation comprising representatives from Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, National Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry and the SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) accompanied the Presidential delegation. The President of Sri Lanka was accorded a warm welcome by the Government of Pakistan. The Sri Lanka President called on President Musharraf and held official talks at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. President General Pervez Musharraf hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting President. The Sri Lankan President also met the Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who hosted a luncheon in her honour. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Commerce of Pakistan called on the Sri Lankan President. Wide ranging discussions were held between the two sides. Both sides agreed that the excellent bilateral relations that exist between the two countries and friendship between the peoples provide a good foundation for further strengthening and expanding mutually beneficial relations, particularly in the sphere of economic and business activity. Both countries recognize that they deeply value their bilateral cooperation which has been progressively strengthened and broadened in the political, economic and cultural fields. At the political level, it was agreed that both countries shall make every effort to further develop their relations and multifaceted cooperation for the common benefit of the two countries based on the tradition of friendly relations which have always existed between the two countries. With a view to further strengthening bilateral cooperation, both countries reached agreement on the following during the visit: (a) an exchange of Notes to formalize the Annexures in the bilateral Free Trade Agreement, with a view to its operationlization; (b) a Protocol to the Free Trade Agreement covering Services and Investments sectors; (c) Agreement for the Provision of Export Credit Facility of US$10 Million to Sri Lanka; (d) MOU on cooperation and collaboration in the agricultural sector; (e) the promotion of close cooperation in the field of education, including contacts between academia; students and teachers exchanges. A high powered delegation from Pakistan will visit Sri Lanka to collaborate in the education field; (f) to waive student visa fees; (g) MOU on cooperation and collaboration in the field of Gemstones and Jewellery; (h) MOU between the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Council and Pakistan-Sri Lanka Business Forum on cooperation between the private sectors including their respective Chambers of Commerce and Industry; (i) the promotion of activities and programmes to enhance cultural and people to people contacts; (j) the joint promotion of tourism including facilitation of group tours to archaeological and historical sites of the two countries; (k) the collaboration at the institutional level in promoting Science and Technology; (l) the promotion of mutual collaboration in the field of information technology and telecommunications. Both sides agreed that the next meeting of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) would be held in April 2005, in Colombo . It was also agreed to explore the possibility of having a single country exhibition in Sri Lanka by the Export Promotion Bureau, Pakistan to coincide with the JEC. A proposal to play a cricket match between the two countries during the exhibition was also suggested. The President of Sri Lanka accepted the offer of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to build two major Mosques damaged in Sri Lanka due to tsunami. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will work together to further enhance cooperation in the field of defence, and in particular, cooperation in the training of military and police personnel. The President of Sri Lanka conveyed to Pakistan , Sri Lanka's appreciation for the support and assistance extended to Sri Lanka in the area of defence. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in countering terrorism and trans-national crimes in a comprehensive manner. It was further agreed that the two countries will strengthen juridical and judicial cooperation between them and improve the effectiveness of the law enforcement agencies through cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. An exchange of views took place on a range of international issues. They reaffirmed their commitment to the promotion of peace, stability, economic development and social progress. They agreed to intensify cooperation and consultations on bilateral, regional and global issues by maintaining regular high level contacts. Islamabad
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