By NNN-Govt Portal,
Colombo : The Presidents of Sri Lanka and Iran agreed on the need to emphasize agricultural development especially in the developing countries in the context of ensuring global food security.
These views were expressed when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly yesterday, after both leaders had addressed the Session.
The Iranian President expressed his gratitude for the very warm reception extended to him and his delegation during their recent visit to Sri Lanka, while the Sri Lankan President thanked Iran for the assistance given for important development propjets, and in measures that helped Sri Lanka avoid the harsh impact of the global fuel crisis.
President Rajapaksa reiterated his position, as stated at the UN General Assembly, that it was necessary for the developing countries to ignore some of the advice on economic development given by the World Bank, IMF and other international institutions that sought to confine the people of the developing world to be exporters of produce to the developed world.
This was considered a common necessity of the developing countries, by the Iranian leader.
There was understanding among the two leaders on the need for greater investment in agriculture to develop the rural sector and urgent action to be taken for better water management in view of the impending threats to this natural asset posed by climate change and over exploitation.
President Rajapaksa explained the situation following the liberation of the East from the clutches of LTTE terror, and said that agriculture is the cornerstone of the drive to develop the East and this policy would be soon replicated in the North as well.
Both countries agreed to strengthen the ties of friendship and to be firm in their resolution to be united in meeting the threats to economic freedom and security of sovereign states.
While congratulating Sri Lanka for the excellent arrangements made for the recent 15th SAARC Summit held in Colombo, President Ahmadinejad invited President Rajapaksa to visit Iran once again.