SAARC has achieved many goals - acting minister

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Since its formation in 1985, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has accomplished, achieved and realized a number of goals and objectives, as envisioned by the member states, Acting Minister for External Affairs Neomal Perera said joining the SAARC 26th Charter Day celebrations in Sri Lanka, Thursday.

Acting minister Neomal Perera

An event to celebrate 26th Charter Day of SAARC was held, at Waters Edge hotel, Battaramulla, with the Acting Minister Perera as the Chief Guest.

The Acting Minister of External Affairs making the keynote speech on the occasion said that the eight Member States of SAARC could celebrate and revel the 26-year-long journey of SAARC at this Charter Day.

While adding that the SAARC Charter Day is celebrated in all eight member States in a number of different ways he said that it was a lucid and cogent testimony of the importance placed on the SAARC Charter Day by the member states.

Speaking on the progress of the region in recent times, Minister Perera noted that South Asia's growing economic potential was proven without doubt during the recent global economic meltdown.

"The strength and capacity of SAARC region has been put to an "Economic Test", what economists would call a "Stress Test". This is in the context of global economic and financial crisis, which most of the developed countries are confronting. I am most pleased to state that the 8 member region of SAARC have passed this Test. Our region has not been affected as much as most other regions in the world" he said.

The minister also said that the region is recording a GDP growth in the range of 6% - 9% and added that South Asian nations could make further progress with enhanced social and economic cooperation between countries.

" Today, SAARC has become increasingly important and significant to many a country, given the rapid economic, commercial and social advancement of the Region of South Asia" he added.

Highlighting some of the notable achivements of SAARC, he said, four key Agreements were signed during the last Summit on Rapid response to Natural Disasters, establishment of a SAARC Seed Bank, SAARC Agreement on Recognition of Conformity Assessment and SAARC Agreement on Regional Standards.

"All these Agreements, once implemented and executed, would enhance economic, commercial, trading and social dimension of the Region of SAARC," he said. The minister also identified, the Indian Ocean Cargo and Passenger Ferry Service which connects India, Maldives and Sri Lanka , the South Asian University in New Delhi, greater focus on environment and climate change, the formation of SAARC Free Trade Area known as SAFTA, the establishment of the SAARC Development Fund, known as SDF and SAARC Drug and terrorism offences Desk as measures which would help SAARC to take more impressive strides..

The event was organised by the SAARC Cultural Centre, Colombo and other stakeholders.

It was attended by members of the SAARC Cultural Centre and Diplomatic Corps along with other invitees.