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| Friday, 23 July 2004 |
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SAARC countries to step up joint efforts to combat terrorism ISLAMABAD, Thursday (PTI) India and other SAARC countries decided to step up joint efforts to combat terrorism, eradicate poverty and enhance economic cooperation as they endorsed five Indian proposals, including setting up of an infrastructure fund for the region. Threats posed by terrorism, on which India voiced serious concerns, figured prominently in the two-day SAARC ministerial conference attended by External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and his counterparts from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Bhutan. Bangladesh has decided to host a ministerial meeting on cooperation among the seven-member grouping to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes. Singh proposed setting up of South Asian Parliamentary Forum to deliberate on issues pertaining to regional cooperation endeavours under SAARC. India's offer to host the next meeting of this forum was readily accepted by other countries. The Foreign Ministers supported India's proposal for establishment of a SAARC High Economic Counci formed with the Finance and Commerce Ministers of the member countries to promote ideas and initiatives related to regional integration in economic, trade, financial and monetary areas. Addressing a press conference at the end of the two-day deliberation, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasurisaid the SAARC Award for 2004 will go to late Bangladesh President Zia-ur Rahman. Kasuri also said the regional grouping was endeavouring to achieve its objectives and expand areas of cooperation and work for security and welfare of South Asia, by promoting peace, stability and amity among the people of the region. Hosting a dinner in honour of the visiting Foreign Ministers, including External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and their delegations for the SAARC Ministerial meeting here last night, Kasuri said it was a matter of special pride for Pakistan that under its chairmanship, peace is progressing in the region. He said Pakistan as a member of the SAARC is working for the dignity, prosperity and honour of the people of the region. |
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