ISLAMABAD, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday that Pakistan was seeking security and defense cooperation with Sri Lanka.

    The Prime Minister said that when he received Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse at the Chaklala air base, who arrived on a three-day visit to Pakistan.

    This is Rajapakse's second foreign trip since coming to power in November and his first to Pakistan since then.

    Aziz said that both sides would sign three agreements of cooperation on education, tourism and culture during the visit.

    He said the Sri Lankan president's visit was very significant, expressing the confidence that the visit would go a long way in further strengthening Pak-Sri Lankan ties in all fields.

    Aziz said the visit of the Sri Lankan president was also significant as both the countries were striving for economic growth and peace in the region.

    He said both countries had enhanced their relations in economy and trade and they were on rise.

    Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said last week that the talks would cover a complete range of bilateral relations between the two countries.

    The Sri Lankan president will also visit Lahore and Karachi cities during his three-day trip. Enditem