The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Colombo

The two-day 15th SAARC Summit Sunday adopted a 41-point Colombo Declaration articulating commitments of the South Asian leaders to implement the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) in its letter and spirit through issuing directives for removing trade barriers and giving special consideration to LDCs in the bloc.

In the communiqué the SAARC leaders recognized the need to continue to address the major barriers hindering effective trade liberalization in the region, which include sensitive lists of items and Non-Trade Barriers (NTBs).

They directed that the decision to revise the sensitive lists by the SAFTA Ministerial Council (SMC) be implemented early.

And in mending the sensitive lists special consideration be given to the SAARC LDCs (least developed countries), the leaders categorically stated in their recommendation.

They directed the SAFTA committee of experts to expeditiously resolve the issue of non-tariff and para-tariff measures to facilitate and enhance trade under the free-trading regime stipulated in the now-dormant SAFTA. The declaration adopted in the concluding session at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall focused on collective regional efforts in core areas of food, energy security, trade, combating terrorism, climate change, connectivity, terrorism. partnership for growth for the peoples of the region, environment, water resources, poverty alleviation, SDF, transport, ICT Development, SAFTA and Trade Facilitation and SAARC Social Charter.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley, Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh, Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Nepal's Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Gilani were present at the concluding function, chaired by current SAARC chairperson and President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The heads of state or government renewed their resolve for collective regional efforts to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development which would promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and improve their quality of life and thereby contribute to peace, stability, amity and progress in the region.

On combat against terrorism, the SAARC leaders expressed deep concern over the "serious threat posed by terrorism to the peace, stability and security of the region".

They emphasized the need for strongest possible cooperation in the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime amongst the relevant agencies of the member-states, especially in the area of information exchange.

Appreciating the signing of the SAARC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters at the 15th summit today, they urged early ratification and implementation of the new common instrument of fight.