|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 26 December 2003 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
SAARC envoys pin high hopes on 12th regional summit KATHMANDU, Thursday (AFP) South Asian ambassadors expressed hope that an upcoming regional summit would usher in a new era of cooperation among participants, including rivals India and Pakistan. "The SAARC's (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) objectives will succeed only if there is political cohesiveness among its members," said Pakistani ambassador Zamir Akram, speaking at a programme organized by the Reporters Club in Kathmandu. "Relationship should be developed for the respective national interest and sovereign equality," he said, adding that Indian and Pakistani leaders are expected to hold informal talks on the sidelines of the three-day summit, to be held in Islamabad from January 4. Indian ambassador to Nepal Shyam Saran said he hoped the summit would see the adoption of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). "I am fully convinced that it would be adopted," he said. "The successful implementation of SAFTA will greatly help in the development of trade and economic cooperation in the region." Terrorism will also be high on the summit agenda, diplomats said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
