Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Sri Lanka

[Lankan Ranger]

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Army giving a guard of honour and saying a big thank you to Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari when he arrived at the BIA yesterday for a four-day state visit. Pakistan was one of Sri Lanka’s main supporters during the three-decade war on terror providing much-needed military equipment and moral support.

A PRESIDENTIAL CHAT…

 

[black_magic pk]

*******

man i just wrote zar.dari , is it sensored

is ke dore khatam nai hote, saal main pakistan main kaam doron main ziyada rehta hai, hakumate kharche per. pakistan main bhi bas presidential palace main, pata hai k bahr nikle ga tu jotae pade ge

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday evening on a four-day landmark State. This is his first official visit to Sri Lanka.

President Zardari was received at the Bandaranaike International Airport by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Cabinet Ministers. The Armed Forces accorded a Guard of Honour to the visiting President, followed by a 21-gun salute. President Rajapaksa introduced him to his Ministers and the Services Chiefs.

He is accompanied by 40 member team comprising Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Chairman Board of Investment Saleem Mandviwala, President of the Pakistani Chamber of Commerce, senior officials and top business figures.

The Pakistani leader is the first Head of State to visit Sri Lanka after the swearing-in of President Rajapaksa for the second term.

“This bilateral visit which is the first after eight years by a Pakistani Head of State to Sri Lanka will showcase the solidarity and cordial relations the two States shared during difficult times and now during a time of peace,”

The Pakistani leader will hold discussions with President Rajapaksa on Sunday afternoon prior to which Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris will call on him for bilateral exchanges. Foreign Minister Qureshi will hold separate talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Prof. Peiris.

The two Heads of State are expected to take up a gamut of bilateral issues including trade, investment and defence. “But the focus will be on the economic front,” a spokesperson for Pakistani High Commission said.

The discussions are also expected to touch on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Sri Lanka shares a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan that had been in operation since 2005. This is Pakistan’s first FTA with any country in Asia. Pakistan is the second largest trading partner of Sri Lanka in South Asia

 

[Hasnain2009]

Zardari

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Seema Ilahi Baloch told reporters that the two countries already had cooperation in political, defence, culture and trade and the visit would deepen these ties besides strengthening people to people contact.

A statement from the Pakistani Foreign Office described President Zardari’s visit as part of a long tradition of high-level contacts and exchanges between the two countries. President Zardari will also congratulate President Rajapaksa on assuming his office for the second term, after the overwhelming victory in the January 26 election.

 

[Hyde]

Zardari in Sri Lanka!

Its so nice to see the leaders of our friendly nations

I hope they sign some major agreements to increase bilateral trades between both nations

 

[Lankan Ranger]

An overview of the all-weather friendship

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1948, the two countries have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relationship.

Since inception Sri Lanka`s foreign policy making has been influenced by not only the global balance of power but also the regional balance of power that involves India, Pakistan and China.

Sri Lanka`s relationship with Pakistan, established soon after Independence began on an open and friendly note.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka being located in the South Asian region and being members of various regional and international bodies like UN, commonwealth, NAM and SAARC are mutually important for each others. The relationship between Pakistan and Srilanka is based on mutual trust and commonality of interest in maintaining regional peace, security and stability.

Pakistan has always supported the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. Both countries have shared common perceptions on almost all regional and international issue and are working together on all these forums for shared values and interests.

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Pakistan - Sri Lanka Economic Cooperation

Sri Lanka was the first country to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan. FTA between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is operational from June 12, 2005. Under FTA, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to offer preferential market access to each others' exports by way of granting tariff concessions.

The aim of a free trade agreement is to reduce barriers, to facilitate exchange so that trade can grow as a result of specialization, division of labor, and most importantly via comparative advantage.

Taking the concept forward, Pakistan Exhibition also known as the 'Little Pakistan' was organized in 2008 by the Pakistan High Commission and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan in Colombo showcasing its quality products.

The two brotherly countries have also signed the Bilateral Investment treaty in December 1997, which came into force in January 2000 after ratification.

In addition a memorandum of understanding between Board of Investment Pakistan and Board of Investment Sri Lanka has also been signed in February 2007 for strengthening of cooperation in all the sectors of investment of both countries.

This MoU provides support to the enterprises on both sides and encourages them to invest in both countries.

The two Boards of Investment also practice sharing of information on investment polices and projects and encourage exchange of expertise.

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Pakistan - Sri Lanka Defense Cooperation

Since independence, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relations especially in the field of defense. Both nations have assisted each other during testing times in their history.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have comprehensive and mutually beneficial training collaboration for Army, Navy and Air Force. Over a period of time, a strong bond of commitment and mutual understanding has been reached between both the friendly armed forces.

In future too, both the brotherly countries are expected to work more closely in the field of defence to boost peace efforts in the region.

 

[Pak1Samurai]

i also hate zardari but this is our internal issue!

im so happy to see our president in sri lanka and in the way they are giving welcome us. thx u sri lanka We are happy to be your friends.

 

[Lankan Ranger]

 

[Lankan Ranger]

 

[ZaYYaF]

Good to see Pakistani decision makers visiting Srilanka. Leading 40 member team - several agreements would surely be signed. Stronger the ties, the better.

 

[A1Kaid]

Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Seema Ilahi Baloch told reporters that the two countries already had cooperation in political, defence, culture and trade and the visit would deepen these ties besides strengthening people to people contact.

A statement from the Pakistani Foreign Office described President Zardari’s visit as part of a long tradition of high-level contacts and exchanges between the two countries. President Zardari will also congratulate President Rajapaksa on assuming his office for the second term, after the overwhelming victory in the January 26 election.

Make sure you guys keep a close eye on your State Bank, Pres. Zardari may steal some money out of there...lol