SAARC will firmly cooperate against terrorism, organised crime -
President
The remarks made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Concluding
Session of the 15th SAARC Summit at the BMICH, Colombo yesterday.
I believe that as the 15th SAARC Summit in Colombo draws to a close,
all of us who have participated in the deliberations can draw
satisfaction from a most productive and fruitful outcome.
In the final analysis, all regional cooperation efforts including in
South Asia, have as their objective, prosperity and equitable
development. Our deliberations have therefore had a strong focus, on
economic and commercial cooperation.
The Summit has had to grapple with two issues that have in recent
times come to pose strong challenges throughout the globe, as well as in
our region.
The first is the situation of reduced food availability; that is
leading to a worldwide rise in food prices.
The other is the increasing cost of energy. Both of them, if
unchecked, can have the potential of undoing the hard won developmental
gains that the peoples of South Asia and their Governments have
achieved.
Given the seriousness of the subject of food security, we, the Heads
of State or Government have felt that it deserves to be addressed
through a Special Statement, released along with the Declaration.
In this Statement, we affirm our resolve to make South Asia, once
again a major granary of the world, through a series of specific
regional collaborative projects. Towards this end, we will shortly be
convening an Extraordinary Meeting of our Agriculture Ministers.
At the same time, to ensure continued nutritional security, we have
directed that the SAARC Food Bank which will store stocks for
distribution in case of a particular scarcity within the South Asian
region, should be immediately operationalised.
In the field of energy, we have decided that our approach will be
built on several pillars. Firstly, we shall try to develop and conserve
conventional sources of energy. Secondly, there will be a strong focus
on alternative and renewable energy sources, including hydro-power,
solar, wind and bio.
The third pillar complementing the other two, would consist of
progressing energy reforms, increasing energy efficiency, transferring
technology and trading in energy. The Energy Ministers of the SAARC
countries are due to meet in Colombo next year, and they will maintain
the political momentum in this regard.
During the Summit, there was clear recognition that terrorism has
become a great menace throughout the world, including in our region.
South Asia cannot progress, unless there is stability and security
throughout the region.
It is in recognition of this reality, that we have ensured the
signature at this Summit of the Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in
Criminal Matters. We have condemned all forms of terrorist violence and
emphasized that our States should firmly cooperate, especially through
the exchange of information, against terrorism and organized crime.
There is unanimity amongst us that the South Asian Free Trade
Agreement or SAFTA, as it is more popularly known, must be implemented
in both letter and in spirit.
We, the Heads of State or Government have also directed that the
implementation of SAFTA must be accompanied by the expeditious
resolution of the problem of non-tariff barriers within the region, that
come in the way of realizing the full benefit of lowering customs
duties.
In the social sector, we have directed that the South Asian
University based in New Delhi should begin its first session in 2010.
The University is perhaps one of the most far-sighted SAARC projects,
for, by bringing together the best of our youth in a centre of academic
excellence, it will over the years cement even further the bonds of
friendship among the peoples of South Asia.
The Summit has also moved to strengthen the links of SAARC with the
world outside. There are now eight countries and one regional
association that have Observer status.
This growth in the ranks of the Observers shows that there is an
increasing enthusiasm for engagement with South Asia, perhaps because
our part of the world is expanding both economically as well as in terms
of human resources.
We have been able during the Summit to reciprocate this enthusiasm,
by adopting guidelines that will facilitate SAARC to henceforth embark
on practical and mutually beneficial projects of cooperation with those
Observers, who are interested in doing so.
The positive outcomes that we have reached to further the cause of
SAARC would not have been possible if not for your great wisdom and the
valuable cooperation, extended to me as the Chair.
The success of the Summit affords an auspicious start to Sri Lanka’s
stewardship of the Association. My Government and I pledge our utmost to
faithfully carry out the high responsibilities assigned to us. I have no
doubt Excellencies, that in our effort to do so we will have your firm
support and goodwill.
Let me bring this Session to a conclusion by thanking all of you for
your gracious participation.
It has indeed been an honour for the Government and people of Sri
Lanka to have received you in our country. I wish you a pleasant return
back to your Capitals and continued success in the service of your
peoples.”
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