The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday described poverty and natural disaster as the two major challenges before the South Asian countries and called for launching collective efforts to address these challenges.

He pointed out that food crisis, energy crisis and environment change were posing challenges to the South Asian countries at the moment.

Iftekhar was speaking at a roundtable on "Future of SAARC: Expectation of Citizens" jointly organised by SAARC Citizens Council and Grameen Nagorik Federation at the National Press Club.

Collective regional approach is the prime prerequisite to face the growing challenges posed by volatile global financial market, increasing protectionism, growing energy crisis and changing global political environment, he noted.

He appealed for reduction and elimination of non-tariff and Para-tariff barriers for greater market access.

About the present political situation in the country he said " we hope the upcoming dialogue will be fruitful, as all the political parties are eager to sit in the dialogue. We will take all the necessary steps to revive political stability in the country."

Hua Du, Country Director of Asian Development, stressed on strengthening connectivity among the nations in the region to change political infrastructure.

Referring to the EU, she said one could travel around all the EU member states with a single visa and currency, which is not possible in this region of 1.4 billion people. "I think it will happen, not too far," she hoped.

She focused on cooperation among all the Asian countries to face the global challenges.

Stefan Frowein, High Commissioner of European Union, focused on setting up a common parliament in the region to address common issues of SAARC nations.

S Talukder, Secretary General of Grameen Nagarik Federation, in his key note paper put forward some proposals which include introduction of arriving /port visa system for all the member countries, free trade relation, launching of SAARC currency like URO, facilitation of borderless education and development of transport system among the SAARC countries.

Ahmed Karim, Afghan Ambassador, Govinda Bar, Representative of ADB, DR Durga P Paudyal, Director General of CIRDAP and envoys from SAARC states were present at the roundtable while Mustafa Allahma, Chairman of SAARC Citizens Council, presided over the programme.