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Colombo Saarc Summit to focus on connectivity, food

UNB, Dhaka
The upcoming 15th Saarc Summit in Colombo would focus on greater connectivity, food security and meeting growing demand for energy in the member countries, visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday said.
He was talking to reporters after a meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at state guesthouse Padma.
The Sri Lankan minister, who arrived in Dhaka Saturday night to formally hand in invitation to the 15th summit to Chief Adviser
Fakhruddin Ahmed, said the theme of this year's summit, to be held on August 2-3, is "Partnership for the People of Saarc."
"Well continue to focus on connectivity and transform it (Saarc) into partnership for the people of Saarc," said Bogollagama.
He said the Saarc countries have also identified some key areas to focus on, including new dimension of food security and energy crisis.
The member countries needed to share their resources and find out alternative sources of energy to meet the growing demand for it, he said.
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Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Chowdhury said Bangladesh is looking forward to participating in the 15th summit to transform the regional forum into a "people's Saarc," adding that Saarc does not belong to the governments only.
Later in the day, Bogollagama handed over invitation to the 15th Saarc Summit to Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed on behalf of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Welcoming the Sri Lankan minister, the chief adviser asked Bogollagama to covey his thanks to President Rajapaksa for inviting him to the upcoming summit
Saying the Saarc is a catalyst for regional cooperation, sustainable development and social uplift in the region, Fakhruddin said, "Bangladesh attaches high importance to regional cooperation among the South Asian countries."
He appreciated the theme of this year's summit, saying partnership among Saarc member countries would benefit people of the region.
Appreciating the move to include food security and energy crisis on this year's Saarc agenda, the chief adviser told the Sri Lankan minister that member countries should follow up the decisions and agenda in between two summits, according to his Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim.
In this context, Fakhruddin underlined the need for follow-up action on Saarc Food Bank, which was adopted at the last summit in New Delhi.
Bogollagama informed the chief adviser that Australia and Myanmar have applied for observer status to which Fakhruddin said, "It's good as all can share resources, ideas, knowledge and experiences."
Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Dhaka V Krishnamoorthy were also present at the time.