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Monday, 14 May 2018 00:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
President Maithripala Sirisena met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani yesterday during his two-day visit and had discussions on increasing trade in tea, oil and tourism, the President’s Office said.
President Sirisena was warmly received by the Iranian President when he arrived at the Saadabad Palace in Tehran. President Sirisena was afforded a Guard of Honour at the Palace. The bilateral discussions were held after a cordial meeting between the leaders.
The two sides also signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Iran on health, medical science, pharmaceutical, medical equipment, metrology, training, combating drug trafficking, cinema, television, culture, science and technology.
During bilateral discussions, two delegations led by President Rouhani and President Sirisena reviewed longstanding bilateral relations in the political, trade, economic and sociocultural spheres.
President Sirisena said that the assistance of the Iranian Government was expected for the economic prosperity of Sri Lanka. Both leaders held discussions on further enhancing ties in the fields of oil, tea and tourism.
Sri Lanka has purchased oil from Iranfor over 50 years and the President said that the Sri Lankan Government expected technical assistance fromIran in this regard in the future to further develop this sector. Iran is Sri Lanka’ssecond largest export destination in the Middle East.Tea accounts for around 90% of total exports and the President drew the attention of the Iranian President to the importance of increasing trade in tea.
Cooperation in the fields of railways,aviation and tourism were among other areas discussed by both leaders.
During this meeting President Sirisena underscored the importance of establishing bank links with Iran to make uncomplicated banking transactions, which were earlier complicated due to US sanctions.
As the member states of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, the leaders pledged to cooperateto eliminate global terrorism as well as combatdrug trafficking.
During this meeting President Sirisena emphasised that his government was committed to enhancing its engagement with the international community in all areas of cooperation as the Sri Lankan Government continued to follow non-aligned foreign policy.
President Sirisena recalled the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Sri Lankan President extended his gratitude to the IranianGovernment for providing its assistance for the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project, railway development and for a rural electricity project.
