Manend Team 
COLOMBO, (MANEND NEWS): Pakistan and Sri Lanka have emphasized
on making South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
more vibrant to promote regional connectivity and reiterated the
resolve for mutual cooperation at all international and regional forums.
The understanding reached at a meeting between Foreign Minister
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Sri Lankan Counterpart
Dinesh Gunawardena in Colombo on Wednesday.
Dinesh Gunawardena warmly received the Pakistani Foreign Minister
Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka.
During the meeting, they exchanged views on bilateral relations,
promoting cooperation in various sectors, and other matters of
regional and international importance.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan
indicates that Pakistan is eager to expand bilateral relations with Sri
Lanka.
Pakistan Foreign Minister stressed the need for expanding Free Trade
Agreement to enhance bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a flagship programme of
Belt and Road Initiative of China and the entire region can benefit from
this project for the promotion of economic activities.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said enhancing connectivity between Gwadar
Port and Sri Lankan ports will help provide easy access to business
centers of Central Asian states. He also called for promoting religious
tourism, keeping in view the cultural and traditional ties between the
two countries.
Both the foreign ministers expressed the resolve to continue common
efforts for the promotion of bilateral cooperation in the sectors of
trade, investment, health, education, agriculture, science and
technology and other fields of mutual interest.
They agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation for the
development of human resources, regional security and war against
terrorism.
