ISLAMABAD, JULY 19, SPA -- Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Dr. T. B. Palitha Kohona has met Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, said an official statemet. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have a very deep historic relationship which transcends economic, diplomatic, social and security relations, the prime minister said. He said that both Pakistan and Sri Lanka are contributing towards promotion of peace and security in the region by opposing militancy and building their economies. Our bilateral relations are further expanding due to frequent exchange of visits between the two countries, and commonality of views on major international issues, Azizsaid. He said the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between the two countries is an indicator of our strong mutual relations as Sri Lanka is the first country with which Pakistan signed an FTA. As a result of this, he said, the trade has increased substantially while the goal is US$ 1 billion in the next five years. The prime minister said that due to sound macro-economic management and structural reforms economy in Pakistan is on a high growth path. The objective of our economic policies is to improve the quality of life of the people, he added. Kohona conveyed the greetings of the President of Sri Lanka to the Prime Minister and appreciated the role played by Pakistan for regional peace and security. He noted that the ties between the two countries have increased substantially with immense potential for further growth.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/468696