President Pervez Musharaff of Pakistan reiterated his country’s opposition to terrorism in all its manifestations, its readiness to strike against terrorism and assured Sri Lanka of all assistance to defeat terrorism in the country.

This assurance came when the Pakistani President met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in China today. Two South Asian leaders are at present in China to participate in the 2008 Annual Conference of the Boao Forum for Asia.

President Musharaff, who expressed his condolences at the assassination of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, condemned such acts of terror which underlined the need for its elimination.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa congratulated President Musharaff for the successful holding of peaceful elections in the country, and his commitment to restoring democracy in Pakistan. He explained to the Pakistani leader the actions being taken to defeat the terrorism of the LTTE in Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka’s own actions to restore democracy to the entire country, which is already seen in the elections that were held to local bodies in the East and the forthcoming elections to the Eastern Provincial Council.

In discussions on trade and economic relations between the two countries, President Rajapaksa explained the need to enhance the existing Free Trade Agreement between the two countries to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which view found favour with President Musharaff.

The Pakistani leader explained Pakistan’s success in holding free and fair elections, and said the Foreign Policy of Pakistan remained unchanged with a keen interest to strengthen the existing good relations between the two countries.

President Musharaff also thanked President Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka for the clear stance taken in support of Pakistan over the recent moves by some member states to suspend the country from membership of the Commonwealth. He was appreciative of the understanding Sri Lanka had shown of the situation in Pakistan, and noted this as an example of the lasting good relations between the two countries and their leaders.

The Pakistani President said he looked forward to a successful SAARC Summit to be held in Sri Lanka later this year.

President Musharaff was accompanied by the Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmud Qureshi and Foreign Minister Ahmed Mukhtar. Associated with President Mahinda Rajapaksa were Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Export Development and International Trade G. L. Peiris and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga.