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Saarc meet ends with vow to implement Safta

UNB, Colombo
South Asian leaders pledged to implement the South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta) by removing trade barriers and giving special consideration to the bloc's least developed countries (LDCs), at the closing session of the 15th Saarc Summit in Colombo yesterday.
The 41-point Colombo Declaration adopted at the concluding session at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall focused on collective regional efforts in core areas: food, energy security, trade, combating terrorism and climate change.
It also embraced connectivity, partnership for growth for the peoples of the region, environment, water resources, poverty alleviation, SDF, transport, ICT development and Saarc social charter.
In the communique, the Saarc leaders recognised the need to
continue to address the major barriers hindering effective trade liberalisation in the region, which include sensitive lists of items and non-trade barriers (NTBs).
They underscored the need for implementing the decision by the Safta Ministerial Council (SMC) to revise the sensitive lists at the earliest but agreed to give special consideration to the Saarc LDCs when adjusting them.
They directed the Safta experts committee to expeditiously resolve the issues concerning non-tariff and para-tariff measures to facilitate and enhance trade under the mooted free-trade regime.
Chaired by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the final session was attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Bangladesh Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Maldives President
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani.
The Saarc leaders renewed their commitment for collective regional efforts to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development which would promote the welfare of the South Asian peoples and improve their quality of life, contributing to regional peace, stability, amity and progress.
On the war on terror, the declaration expressed deep concern over the "serious threat posed by terrorism to the peace, stability and security of the region."
It emphasised the need for strongest possible cooperation, exchange of information in particular. among relevant agencies of the member-states in order to fight terrorism and transnational organised crimes. FROM PAGE 1
Appreciating the Saarc Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters signed at the 15th summit, the leaders urged early ratification and implementation of the new common instrument for combating crimes.
On energy, the declaration put emphasis on developing the region's hydroelectric potential, grid connectivity and gas pipelines.
It noted that the possibility of evolving an appropriate regional inter-governmental framework may be explored to facilitate such an endeavour.
On partnership for growth for the South Asian peoples, the leaders observed that an effective and economical regional telecommunications regime is an essential factor in connectivity, encouraging the growth of "people-centric partnerships".
They stressed the need for the member-states to move towards low tariffs for international direct-dial calls within the region.
The declaration resolved to work together to address and prevent the threats to the region's livelihood and to provide access to remedies when these rights are violated.
The declaration expressed concerns over the human loss caused by natural disasters in the region and stressed the need for providing relief on time during humanitarian emergencies.
The Saarc leaders expressed deep concern over global climate change and its impact on the lives and livelihood in the region, but expressed satisfaction at the adoption of Saarc Action Plan and Dhaka Declaration on Climate Change by Saarc environment ministers at the Saarc Ministerial Meeting in Dhaka on July 3,2008.
On water resources, they directed initiation of process of capacity building and encouragement of research, combining conservation practices such as rainwater harvesting and riverbasin management to ensure sustainability of water resources in South Asia.
Expressing deep concern over the looming global water crisis, they recognised that South Asia must be at the forefront of bringing a new focus on the conservation ofwater resources.
On poverty alleviation, the declaration emphasised undertaking sustained efforts, including developing and implementing regional and sub-regional projects to attain the Saarc Development Goals (SDGs).