The seven-member Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral, Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) yesterday signed a convention to combat terrorism and agreed to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) soon.

Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand and Nepal signed the 'Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Trans-National Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking' at the 12th Bimstec ministerial meeting in Myanmar's new capital NayPyiTaw.

Inaugurating the meet, Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein stressed on cooperation in

combating terrorism and trans-national organised crime.

With the ongoing Copenhagen climate conference in mind, the ministers agreed to include climate change as an important area of cooperation and work together in mitigation and adaptation efforts in the region.

"We are confident that the inclusion of this new area of cooperation will contribute significantly to the joint efforts on the mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the Bimstec region," said a joint statement, according to IANS.

The seven countries also decided to sign pacts on establishment of Bimstec Energy

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Centre, Centre for Weather and Climate and Cultural Industries Commission at the earliest.

They also decided to expand intra-regional economic cooperation and called for finalisation of the Bimstec FTA Agreement onTtade in Goods at the earliest.

"We reaffirmed the importance of the Bimstec FTA in promoting trade and investment in a mutually beneficial manner for all member states, and enhancing competitiveness and socio-economic development in the Bimstec region," the joint statement said.

The Bimstec has identified 14 areas of cooperation which include health, energy, technology, human resource development, trade, tourism and culture.