The Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan conveying the message of goodwill from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan to the Sri Lankan President said his visit to Pakistan in April 2015 was a testimony of the durability of Pakistan Sri Lanka relationship and its immunity to the political changes in two countries.
Minister Khurram Dastgir said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Sri Lanka, in both bilateral and regional context and there is a strong political will in Pakistan to further develop and promote these relations.
He expressed satisfaction over the process of consolidating friendly and cooperative relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He also commended the bold and admirable steps taken by the Sri Lankan government to promote reconciliation and national unity and termed them a new beginning.
Expressing gratitude for Sri Lanka's support to Pakistan's candidature for the non-permanent seat of the UNSC for the term 2012-13, and UNHRC seat for the term 2013-15, Minister Khurram Dastgir expressed the hope that the excellent level of cooperation between the two friendly countries will continue in the future.
Recalling the visit and understandings reached during the visit of Sri Lankan President to Pakistan in April 2015, the Minister said that he has come with a strong commercial delegation from Pakistan to take bilateral commercial relationship to the next higher level.
The Minister underscored the need to re-double efforts to achieve bilateral trade target of US$ 1 billion in the near future by enhancing existing commercial ties with further increase in bilateral trade and investments giving new boost to the bilateral FTA.
President Sirisena said Pakistan and Sri Lanka have always maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relations which are broad-based and multifaceted.
While thanking the Government of Pakistan for its unwavering support in their fight against terrorism, President Sirisena said that Pakistan had played a decisive role in helping consolidate the integrity of Sri Lanka. He also expressed his gratitude for the support extended by Pakistan to the Government of Sri Lanka at the international and regional forums.
