THIMPHU (Bhutan) (APP) - Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse in a meeting here Wednesday agreed to promote the relations in all the fields especially in defence, trade and commerce between the two countries. During the meeting, which was also attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, both the leaders also emphasised the need to strengthen the SAARC organisation for the betterment and more development in the region. PM Gilani felicitated Mahinda Rajapakse on his re-election for a second term as President of Sri Lanka as well as on United Peoples Freedom Alliances victory in the parliamentary elections. Pakistan greatly values its traditionally close, cordial and mutually supportive relationship with Sri Lanka, he said, adding that both the countries had always stood by each other in difficult times. The Prime Minister said that both the countries shared commonality of views on numerous issues of mutual interest. We should closely coordinate our positions on the regional and international for a, he urged. He said that Pakistan was happy to note that the Sri Lankan government had been able to defeat terrorism. He said that both the countries had been cooperating to defeat terrorism. The Sri Lankan President thanked Pakistan for its cooperation and assistance in dealing the threat of terrorism. He said that Pakistan had always forcefully supported the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. Gilani said that Pakistan despite its own economic difficulties would continue to contribute towards socio-economic development of Sri Lanka. He especially referred to Pakistans assistance under Special Assistance Programme for South Asia. He said it was gratifying to note that volume of trade between both the countries had registered significant increase in the last four years after the signing of Free Trade Agreement. He said that services sector should be included in the FTA for promoting investment and trade facilitation between the two countries. The negotiations towards that end needed to be fast-tracked, he added. The PM emphasised the need for reactivation of Joint Economic Commission (JEC), to facilitate bilateral economic cooperation and monitor its progress as its last meeting was held way back in 2005. Pakistan also invited a team of senior Sri Lankan officials to visit Islamabad for preparing the agenda of next JEC meeting in the near future. He further said that Pakistan would continue to assist Sri Lanka in military training to fulfil its defence needs and requirements. Pakistan also offered overhauling facilities for equipments of aircrafts of Sri Lankan Air Force. Gilani also reiterated his earlier invitation extended to President of Sri Lanka to visit Pakistan. Referring to role being played in the SAARC, Prime Minister Gilani said that both Pakistan and Sri Lanka had been playing vital role in the Organisation, and expressed satisfaction with the considerable progress the SAARC made in numerous fields. The PM said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka should work closely together under SAARC to promote regional cooperation. He also appreciated the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentary Group especially comprising young parliamentarians. He said it would help to promote bilateral relations. Both the countries also agreed to adopt joint strategy and initiate joint ventures to overcome the power and water crisis in the region. Gilani thanked Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse for sending their cricket team when the world was not coming to Pakistan. He said it gave encouragement to Pakistan but regretted the unfortunate incident on this occasion in Lahore. The Prime Minister told the President that both the countries were cooperating with each other in the investigation of attack on cricketers in Lahore.