President Ahmadinejad and his Sri Lankan counterpart president Mahinda Rajapaksa presided Iran-Sri Lanka talks here Monday and underscored expansion of ties.


The two presidents after holding a one-hour private talk, attended the senior officials negotiation and expressed both countries' intention for developing and consolidating bilateral relations.

Expressing pleasure over executing former agreements, Ahmadinejad said Iran-Sri Lanka has a clear outlook for developing ties and added there is no obstacle for expansion of relations between the two countries.

Referring to the latest world developments, President Ahmadinejad noted that independent countries like Iran and Sri Lanka should be able to cooperate with each other to have a positive affect on current situation.

The president continued sustainable security can be achieved under a sustainable progress and justice.

He also praised Sri Lankan support for Palestine and added, "Nowadays, the Palestinian issue has turned into a criterion for defending democracy, human rights and the right of nations to determine their fate."
The Sri Lankan president also presented a report on his country's developing program and fight against terrorism and expressed his appreciation on Iran's help during Tsunami disaster.

He also said the results of joint investment between the two countries to build a refinery and dam and hydroelectric power plant caused acceleration of progress and development in Sri Lanka and added Colombo appreciated Tehran's cultural and educational assistance and also its international cooperation in the world bodies.

Rajapaksa expressed his country's opposition to sending Iran's nuclear dossier to the UN Security Council and said Colombo supports Iran's right to use peaceful nuclear energy.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad heading a high ranking delegation arrived in Colombo on Monday afternoon.

Reporter : mehdi akbarsefat

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Create date : 30 Apr 2008 12:41

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