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The
Prime Minister of the People's Republic
of Bangladesh, Her Excellency Begum Khaleda
Zia; the Prime Minister of the Kingdom
of Bhutan, His Excellency Lyonpo Sangay
Ngedup; the Prime Minister of the Republic
of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan
Singh; the President of the Republic of
Maldives, His Excellency Mr. Maumoon Abdul
Gayoom; the King of Nepal, His Majesty
Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev; the Prime
Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
His Excellency Mr. Shaukat Aziz; and,
the President of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka, Her Excellency
Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
met at the Thirteenth Summit meeting of
the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh
on 12 - 13 November 2005.
Regional
cooperation
2. The
Heads of State or Government noted that
the Thirteenth Summit was taking place
at an important moment in the evolution
of South Asia when SAARC stood at the
threshold of a new decade of its existence.
They agreed that the Summit provided a
unique opportunity to consolidate the
gains made in regional cooperation during
its first two decades and to chart a forward-looking
strategy to promote effective cooperation
at all levels to realize the objectives
and principles set out in the Charter
of the Association.
3. The
Heads of State or Government noted that
cooperation and partnership within the
framework of SAARC is based on the sound
foundation of shared values, beliefs and
aspirations. The objectives and goals
of SAARC, they affirmed, were of continuing
relevance and importance to all Member
States. The dynamics of recent political
and economic changes in South Asia and
the world highlighted the importance of,
and the compelling logic for, a more vibrant
and effective process of constructive
regional cooperation. They emphasized
their commitment to making such cooperation
an enduring feature and thus contribute
to the region's peace, progress and stability.
4. The
Heads of State or Government noted that
SAARC has evolved in a positive direction
during the first two decades of its existence
and that its agenda encompassed concerns
and areas vital for the fulfillment of
the Charter objectives of promoting the
welfare of the peoples of South Asia,
accelerating economic growth, social progress,
cultural development and strengthening
collective self-reliance among the countries
of South Asia. They stressed that realization
of these objectives not only called for
continued and serious result-oriented
efforts but also for consistent endeavours
to translate pledges and commitments into
concrete actions, regional initiatives
and projects. They reiterated their commitment
to making SAARC an effective instrument
for cooperation, which will visibly improve
the quality of life of millions in South
Asia.
5. The
Heads of State or Government emphasized
that efforts must continue to free South
Asia from poverty, hunger and other forms
of deprivation and social injustice which
present a daunting challenge. Member States
expressed determination to work towards
significantly accelerating regional cooperation
in economic areas. The main emphasis will
be to secure a wider economic space, so
that benefits and opportunities offered
therein can be shared by all, and that
the true economic potential of South Asia
can be fully realized. Efforts will be
made to create dynamic complementarities
in the development of human resources
and capacity of Member States to address
their common challenges. They underlined
the need to accelerate regional cooperation
through all possible means and mechanisms,
including exchange of best practices in
various fields in the Member States.
6. The
Heads of State or Government reiterated
that the peoples of South Asia are the
real source of strength and driving force
for SAARC and resolved to make regional
cooperation more responsive to their hopes
and aspirations. They agreed that the
Association should broaden its engagement
with the civil society organizations,
professional groups, and entrepreneurs.
Member States should also strive to promote
and assert their South Asian identity,
encourage greater people-to-people contact
and draw strength from their shared cultural
heritage.
7. The
Heads of State or Government emphasized
the importance of initiating project cooperation
under the SAARC auspices. They encouraged
Member States to undertake projects, as
per existing provisions of the Charter.
These projects may pertain to economic
and social sectors, including Human Resource
Development and Poverty Alleviation. These
may be undertaken, where required, with
financial or technical assistance, from
International Financial Institutions (IFIs)
or, UN Funds and Programmes or, any extra-regional
State, as appropriate.
Poverty
Alleviation
8. The
Heads of State or Government decided to
declare the decade of 2006-2015 as the
SAARC Decade of Poverty Alleviation. During
the Decade, endeavours - both at the national
and regional level - will continue to
be made with a sense of commitment and
urgency to free South Asia from poverty.
9. The
Heads of State or Government appreciated
the valuable work of the Independent South
Asian Commission on Poverty Alleviation
(ISACPA). They also endorsed the SAARC
Development Goals (SDGs), as recommended
by the Commission, and called for follow-up
and implementation of the Plan of Action
on Poverty Alleviation, adopted by the
12th SAARC Summit. They entrusted the
ISACPA to continue its advisory and advocacy
role in this regard. They endorsed the
priorities for action identified in the
Report of ISACPA adopted by the Twelfth
SAARC Summit. They agreed that these priorities
would be duly taken into account while
working out the elements for regional
initiatives in this vital area. They decided
to focus on formulation and implementation
of concrete regional programmes and projects
as well as forging partnerships among
all stakeholders.
10.
Underlining the need for an exclusive
forum for focused and comprehensive examination
of poverty related issues, the Heads of
State / Government decided to replace
the three-tier mechanism on poverty alleviation
by a two-tier one, comprising the Ministers
and the Secretaries dealing with Poverty
Alleviation at the national level.
Funding
Mechanisms
11.
The Heads of State or Government decided
to establish a SAARC Poverty Alleviation
Fund (SPAF) with contributions both voluntary
and/or, assessed, as may be agreed. They
called upon the Finance Ministers to formulate
recommendations on the operational modalities
of the Fund, taking into consideration
the outcome of the Meeting of the Financial
Experts. In this regard, they welcomed
the offer of Pakistan to host the next
meeting of the Finance Ministers. The
operational modalities of the SPAF shall
be decided by the Finance/ Planning Ministers.
They agreed that the SPAF shall function
within the SADF to be reconstituted, as
SAARC Development Fund (SDF), to serve
as the umbrella financial institution
for all SAARC projects and programmes
and comprise three Windows namely Social
Window, Infrastructure Window and Economic
Window with a Permanent Secretariat.
12.
The Heads of State or Government decided
that Finance Ministers should meet within
the first quarter after every Summit and
also on the sidelines of the World Bank
and ADB annual meetings, to take stock
of macro-economic developments and outlook
for South Asia, achievement of SAARC Development
Goals as co-related to Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) and to assess the investment
climate, foreign capital inflows, financial
sector reforms and other areas of cooperation.
Advancing
Economic Cooperation
13.
The Heads of State or Government stressed
that accelerating cooperation in the core
economic areas was of vital importance
for the realization of Charter objectives
and also for making South Asia truly vibrant,
dynamic and secure in its robust progress.
They reaffirmed their commitment to accelerate
cooperation in the economic and commercial
fields, especially in the energy sector.
They noted the progress in the negotiations
on outstanding issues and directed early
finalization of all the Annexes ensuring
entry into force of the SAFTA Agreement
as agreed, with effect from 1 January
2006.
14.
The Heads of State or Government stressed
the importance of the entry into force
of the SAFTA Agreement on the scheduled
date i.e. 1 January 2006. The launching
of SAFTA would mark an important milestone
on the road to a South Asian Economic
Union. They directed that the negotiations
on the outstanding issues under the Agreement
should be completed by end November 2005.
They further directed that the necessary
national procedures should be completed
in time to facilitate the operationalisation
of the Agreement.
15.
They reiterated the need to strengthen
transportation and communication links
across the region for accelerated and
balanced economic growth. They directed
further measures aimed at trade liberalisation,
as provided for in the SAFTA Agreement.
They noted with satisfaction the ongoing
SAARC Regional Multimodal Transport Study
to enhance transport connectivity among
the Member States. The Heads of State
or Government agreed to undertake trade
facilitation measures, including transit
among SAARC countries, on the basis of
understanding among concerned countries,
for enhancing intra-regional trade and
other economic activities. They noted
the Indian proposal in this regard. They
agreed to study the proposal by India
for daily air service facility by designated
airlines, on a reciprocal basis and without
prejudice to existing rights, to all the
SAARC Member States and also the proposal
to extend fifth freedom rights to designated
airlines from the Member States, both
intermediate and beyond, within the SAARC
region on a reciprocal basis.
16.
The Heads of State or Government recognized
the need to take the process of regional
economic integration further by expanding
the scope of SAFTA to include trade in
services, enhanced investment and harmonized
standards.
17.
The Heads of State or Government welcomed
the signing of the following Agreements
during the thirteenth SAARC Summit:
- The
Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance
in Customs Matters
- The Agreement on the Establishment of
SAARC Arbitration Council
- The Limited Agreement on Avoidance of
Double Taxation and Mutual Administrative
Assistance in Tax Matters
18.
They emphasized the need for parallel
initiatives for dismantling of non-tariff
and para-tariff barriers. In this context,
they called for expeditious action on
conclusion of agreements on mutual recognition
of standards, testing and measurements
with a view to facilitating intra-regional
trade. They recognized the potential of
trade in services which have expanded
rapidly at the informal level. They called
for a study to see how services could
be integrated into the SAFTA process.
19.
The Heads of State or Government decided
to encourage, where appropriate, trade-creating
investment in the Member States. They
stressed the need for closer regional
cooperation in the field of Information
and Communication Technologies (ICT),
including Tele-communications.
20.
The Heads of State or Government welcomed
the Joint Statement of the First SAARC
Energy Ministers meeting in October 2005
in Islamabad. They agreed to the recommendation
to establish the SAARC Energy Centre in
Islamabad; to promote development of energy
resources, including hydropower; and energy
trade in the region; to develop renewable
and alternative energy resources; and
promote energy efficiency and conservation
in the region. They underlined the need
to constitute a South Asian Energy Dialogue
process, involving officials, experts,
academics, environmentalists and NGOs,
to recommend measures to tap potentials
of cooperation in energy sector to provide
inputs to the Working Group on Energy.
21.
The Heads of State or Government noted
the proposal for the establishment of
a Regional Food Bank proposed by India
and agreed to examine the proposal.
22.
With regard to paragraph 14 of the Council
of Ministers Report, the Heads of State
or Government noted the offer of Nepal
to host the Regional Support Unit.
South
Asia's Social Challenges
23.
The Heads of State or Government reiterated
their commitment to take initiatives at
national as well as regional levels for
achieving the specific objectives contained
in the SAARC Social Charter. They recognized
that realization of these objectives is
crucial to enable SAARC to meet the hopes
and aspirations of the common peoples
of South Asia and visibly improve the
quality of their lives. They emphasized
that in outlining future actions in this
regard national implementation efforts
should be complemented by regional programmes
and projects in areas requiring collective
regional response. They appreciated the
establishment of National Coordination
Committees (NCCs) in all Member States,
decided on annual meetings of the Heads
of NCCs and directed convening of their
first meeting at the earliest for follow-up
and implementation of the Social Charter.
In this regard, they endorsed the proposal
from the Maldives to convene an experts'
group meeting on establishing a Civil
Society Resource Centre.
24.
The Heads of State or Government called
upon the Member States to expeditiously
complete the process of preparing their
national strategy and plan of action.
They also emphasized that national implementation
efforts should be complemented by regional
projects and programmes. In this context,
they directed that regional projects,
particularly in health and poverty alleviation,
should be initiated.
25.
The Heads of State or Government reiterated
their pledge to continue to work in the
next decade and beyond to address the
formidable challenges faced by women and
children, especially the girl child. They
noted that sustained efforts were needed
on the part of the Member States not only
to free them from all types of deprivation
but also to make them full partners and
beneficiaries of South Asian progress
and development. In this context, they
decided that a mid-term review of the
progress in realizing the objectives of
SAARC Decade on the Rights of the Child
(2001 - 2010) should be undertaken in
2006.
26.
The Heads of State or Government affirmed
their strong resolve to continue to work
together to address the problem posed
by trafficking in women and children.
They expressed satisfaction at the ratification
of the SAARC Conventions relating to Trafficking
in Women and Children and Promotion of
Child Welfare by all Member States and
called for effective measures for their
early implementation. They noted that
the civil society organizations and the
media have an important role to play in
raising awareness of the degrading and
inhuman treatment faced by the victims
of trafficking. They encouraged them to
continue their constructive role in this
regard. They stressed that law enforcement
agencies in the Member States should also
coordinate and strengthen their efforts
to address this problem effectively.
27.
The Heads of State or Government noted
the achievements of the Member States
during recent years in the area of primary
education through sustained efforts and
adoption of country specific innovative
approaches. They recognized that regional
initiatives in this particular area might
focus on sharing of experiences and best
practices. They also called for optimal
utilization of resources and identification
of strategic interventions in the area
of training, management and performance
evaluation of these programmes so as to
ensure sustainability, coverage and quality
of education imparted and services provided.
They stressed that freeing South Asia
from the scourge of illiteracy is a major
objective of SAARC in the third decade
of its activities. They called for effective
measures to realize the SDGs, in particular
universal primary education in the context
of pursuing the Millennium Development
Goals.
28. The Heads of State or Government stressed
that to meet the challenges of the twenty-first
century Member States must make important
strides in the areas of science, technology
and higher education. They decided to
give priority attention to encourage regional
cooperation in these areas to derive benefits
from the synergy of collective, well-planned
and focused initiatives undertaken by
Member States. They directed that a SAARC
Plan of Action for Science, ICT and Technology
be elaborated for consideration during
a Meeting of SAARC Science, ICT and Technology
Ministers to be convened as soon as possible.
They noted the offer of India to establish
a South Asian University and agreed to
examine this matter further.
29.
The Heads of State or Government recognized
the need to collaborate on preparedness
for addressing health emergencies, including
prevention and control of pandemics like
avian influenza, as these pose a major
global threat with impact on health, trade
and tourism involving human mobility.
They emphasized on the need to develop
a regional strategy for such emergencies
as soon as possible; and identify and
strengthen collaboration within and beyond
the region and establish links with other
regional organizations. They called for
early establishment of a SAARC Health
Surveillance Centre and a Rapid Deployment
Health Response System, to deal with emerging
and re-emerging diseases.
30.
The Heads of State or Government welcomed
the preparation of a strategy for collective
SAARC response to prevent the spread of
HIV/AIDS. They noted that regional response
in this regard should be further enhanced
to eliminate this dreadful disease from
South Asia. In this regard, they emphasized
the importance of early implementation
of the Regional Strategy of HIV/AIDS.
At the same time, they underscored the
need for increasing cooperation to develop
regional strategies for the prevention
and treatment of Dengue, Malaria and other
infectious or communicable diseases constituting
major public health concerns.
31.
The Heads of State or Government agreed
to launch a regional initiative with regard
to basic healthcare services and sanitation
in the rural areas and encouraged exchange
of experience and best practices within
the region. They called for expediting
elaboration of a SAARC Plan of Action
for cooperation in medical expertise and
pharmaceuticals, as well as traditional
medicine, and availing affordable pharmaceuticals
produced in the region, harmonization
of standards and certification procedures
and production of affordable medicines.
They also agreed that steps should be
taken to promote traditional medicine
and to protect the intellectual property
rights related to them as a matter of
regional priority.
South
Asia's Environmental Challenges and Natural
Disasters
32.
They further decided to consider the modalities
for having a Regional Environment Treaty
in furthering environmental cooperation
among the SAARC Member States. They expressed
deep concern at the continuing degradation
of environment and reaffirmed the importance
of concerted action in the protection
and preservation of environment. While
expressing satisfaction at the progress
in implementation of the SAARC Environment
Action Plan, the Leaders welcomed the
decision of the Council of Ministers to
establish a SAARC Forestry Centre in Bhutan.
They emphasized on the need for the Centre
to have a coordinating role in the field
of Forestry for exchange of information,
expertise, training and formulation of
regional projects with emphasis on social
forestry.
33.
The Heads of State or Government welcomed
the Declaration of the Special Session
of the SAARC Environment Ministers in
Male in June 2005 convened in the wake
of the tsunami catastrophe. They endorsed
the recommendation for elaboration of
regional programmes and projects for early
warning, preparedness and management of
tsunami and other natural disasters. They
called for elaboration of a Comprehensive
Framework on Early Warning and Disaster
Management.
34.
They endorsed the decision of the Special
Session of the SAARC Environment Ministers
to further enhance the capacity of the
existing SAARC Institutions namely, SAARC
Meteorological Research Centre and SAARC
Coastal Zone Management Centre, to carry
out their mandated tasks.
35.
In view of the extensive loss of life
and colossal damage to property as a result
of earthquake and tsunami and other natural
disasters in South Asia, the Heads of
State or Government underscored the urgency
to put in place a permanent regional response
mechanism dedicated to disaster preparedness,
emergency relief and rehabilitation to
ensure immediate response. They directed
the concerned national authorities to
coordinate their activities in such areas
of disaster management as early warning,
exchange of information, training and
sharing of experiences and best practices
in emergency relief efforts.
36.
The Heads of State or Government underlined
the need for collaborative action in the
area of environment, including water conservation,
to promote sustainable development. They
decided to proclaim the Year 2007 as the
"Year of Green South Asia" devoted
to a region-wide aforestation campaign.
They also agreed to address the problem
of arsenic contamination of groundwater
and assistance to affected peoples.
Combating
Terrorism
37.
The Heads of State or Government agreed
that terrorism violates the fundamental
values of the SAARC Charter and the United
Nations, and constitutes one of the most
critical threats to international peace
and security. The Heads of State or Government
expressed their satisfaction at the ratification
of the Additional Protocol to the SAARC
Convention on Suppression of Terrorism
by all Member States and called for putting
in place effective mechanisms for its
implementation. They strongly condemned
terrorist violence in all its forms and
manifestations, agreed that terrorism
is a challenge to all States and a threat
to all of humanity, and cannot be justified
on any grounds. They underlined that there
should be no double standards in the fight
against terrorism. In view of the continuing
and recent terrorist attacks in the region
and their impact on security, economic
stability and social development, they
expressed their determination to unite
in their efforts in preventing and combating
terrorism. They also noted the United
Nations Security Council resolution 1373
(2001) in this regard.
38.
They called for early and effective implementation
of the Additional Protocol to the SAARC
Convention on Suppression of Terrorism.
They underscored the need for an early
conclusion of a Comprehensive Convention
on International Terrorism. They also
agreed that Member States would strengthen
their cooperation in such important areas
as exchange of information, coordination
and cooperation among their relevant agencies.
39. They
decided that SAARC Interior/Home Ministers
would meet annually preceded by a meeting
of the Interior/Home Secretaries.
40.
The Heads of State or Government directed
that concrete measures be taken to enforce
the provisions of the Regional Convention
on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
through an appropriate regional mechanism.
Security
of small states
41.
The Heads of State or Government noted
that due to their specific vulnerabilities,
small states require special measures
for support from all concerned for safeguarding
their sovereignty, independence and territorial
integrity. In this context, they stressed
that protection of small states should
be firmly rooted in scrupulous adherence
to the UN Charter, rule of law and the
strict adherence to universally accepted
principles and norms related to sovereign
rights and territorial integrity of all
States, irrespective of their size. They
committed themselves to give concrete
expression to protect the interest and
security of all small states through the
pursuit of appropriate policies and actions.
People-to-people
contact and cultural cooperation
42.
The Heads of State or Government noted
that the spirit of SAARC needed to be
sustained by efforts to promote people-to-people
contact and by a vibrant civil society
throughout South Asia actively engaged
in forging links across national boundaries.
They felt that the Association of SAARC
Speakers and Parliamentarians should meet
at an early date to establish a mechanism
for periodic contacts among the Parliamentarians
of South Asia. They stressed that continued
efforts would be made by the Member States
at all levels to promote people-to-people
contact by facilitating travel among SAARC
countries, promotion of youth exchanges
in culture and sports, promotion of intra-SAARC
tourism, establishment of linkages among
professional bodies and through adoption
of other concrete measures. They decided
to launch 2006 as "South Asia Tourism
Year." They directed their Ministers
for Tourism to meet at an early date and
elaborate a plan of activities to be undertaken
during the year 2006. They also stated
that Member States would encourage initiatives
by private sector entities in promoting
understanding and harmony in the region.
43.
The Heads of State or Government recognized
the crucial role of culture in bringing
the peoples of South Asia closer. They
also stressed that cooperation in the
area of culture was vital for reinforcing
and projecting the distinct identity of
South Asia. In this context, they expressed
satisfaction on the progress made in establishing
the SAARC Cultural Centre in Kandy and
underlined the importance of making it
operational at the earliest. They also
directed the SAARC Ministers of Culture
to meet as soon as possible to elaborate
a SAARC Agenda for Culture. They noted
the offer of India to establish a SAARC
Museum of Textiles and Handicrafts inter
alia to preserve designs in various crafts
and related traditions, train artisans
and crafts persons, foster design skills,
hold promotional events, undertake research.
International
political and economic environment
44.
The Heads of State or Government reviewed
international political and economic developments
since their last Summit in Islamabad.
They underscored the imperative need to
ensure universal adherence to the principles
and objectives enshrined in the UN Charter.
They called upon the international community
to redouble efforts to meet the commitments
of the Millennium Summit and the Monterrey
consensus. They noted the outcome of the
UN World Summit 2005 and underlined the
need for meaningful reforms of the United
Nations system in consonance with its
role as the central organ for the cooperative
management of the global problems and
for the promotion of peace, security,
development, justice and human rights.
They also reiterated their full support
for a comprehensive approach, which would
facilitate implementation of the Millennium
Declaration and the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) in a time bound manner.
45.
The Heads of State or Government stressed
that promotion of global peace and security
inter alia called for removing the existing
asymmetries in security and in ensuring
undiminished security for all, at the
regional and global levels. They also
emphasized the importance of pursuing
effectively the global objectives of universal
disarmament and preventing the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction.
46.
The Heads of State or Government reaffirmed
their commitment to further strengthen
the multilateral trade regime of WTO.
They called upon all WTO members to demonstrate
necessary understanding and accommodation
for a breakthrough at the Hong Kong Ministerial
meeting in December 2005 to pave the way
for the successful conclusion of the Doha
Development Round. They underscored that
the development dimension should continue
to be at the heart of the on-going negotiations
so that the legitimate concerns of the
developing countries are adequately reflected
in the outcome of the current round of
trade negotiations. They agreed that the
SAARC Member States would work closely
together to coordinate their positions
in the on-going negotiations on trade
and other key economic issues. The Heads
of State or Government directed the Commerce
Ministers to hold consultations on the
sidelines of the 6th WTO Ministerial Conference
to be held in Hong Kong in December 2005,
to evolve a common SAARC Position on issues
of common concern.
47.
The Heads of State or Government addressed
the question of electing the Secretary-General
of the United Nations in the year 2006,
were of the unanimous view that the well-established
principle of geographical rotation should
be observed and that an Asian should be
appointed as the next Secretary-General
of the United Nations. In this regard,
they noted that Sri Lanka has offered
a candidate.
Enhancing
Political Cooperation
48.
The Heads of State or Government welcomed
the growing importance being placed by
all Member States to promote cooperation
in an environment of enduring peace and
stability in South Asia. They reiterated
their commitment to the principles of
sovereign equality, territorial integrity
and national independence, non-use of
force, non-intervention, and non-interference
in the internal affairs of other Member
States. Recognizing the increasing interdependence
and the imperative of pursuing the objectives
of peace, freedom, social justice and
economic prosperity, they re-affirmed
their resolve to foster mutual understanding,
good neighbourly relations and a more
meaningful cooperation through sustained
constructive engagement among Member States.
External
Profile and Linkages of SAARC
49.
The Heads of State or Government welcomed
the observer status granted to SAARC by
the United Nations General Assembly at
its Fifty-ninth Session; and expressed
the hope that this would not only enhance
the profile of SAARC in the world body
but would also enable Member States to
project common positions of SAARC in various
multilateral forums. They also acknowledged
the renewed interest of other regional
and international organizations, bodies
and entities to cooperate with SAARC in
various collaborative endeavours in accordance
with the objectives and priorities of
SAARC. The Heads of State or Government
welcomed the request by the Islamic Republic
of Afghanistan for membership and invited
Afghanistan as a member, subject to the
completion of formalities. They also welcomed
and agreed in principle with the desire
of the People's Republic of China and
Japan to be associated as observers. The
Council of Ministers will decide the modalities
in this regard at their twenty-seventh
meeting in July 2006.
Strengthening
Institutional Mechanisms of SAARC
50.
The Heads of State or Government agreed
that with the incremental broadening of
the SAARC agenda and increased emphasis
being placed on implementation of plans
and programmes, there was a need for a
commensurate strengthening of institutional
capabilities of SAARC. Recognizing the
importance of thematic Ministerial meetings,
they emphasized that these meetings should
focus on regional challenges and priorities
and contribute to the realization of the
objectives of SAARC. They agreed that
on completion of twenty years of SAARC's
existence, it was essential that a comprehensive
review and reform of all SAARC institutions
and mechanisms, including the Secretariat
and the Regional Centers should be undertaken.
In this context, they called on the Council
of Ministers to convene a Meeting of Experts,
to be nominated by each Member State,
to undertake a detailed Study and present
a report to the next Council of Ministers.
They empowered the current Chairman of
the Council of Ministers to prepare within
the next fifteen days a draft Terms of
Reference for the Study to be approved,
if necessary, by tele-conferencing of
all SAARC Foreign Ministers.
SAARC
Vision: An agenda for Third Decade of
SAARC
51.
The Heads of State or Government reiterated
their commitment to the realisation of
the vision of South Asian Economic Union
in a phased and planned manner. They agreed
that as SAARC completed its twenty years
of its existence, it was an opportune
occasion to draw a roadmap for regional
cooperation in South Asia for the next
decade. In view of the new challenges
facing the region, pledges and commitments
made in the last two decades should be
translated into concrete actions in the
form of regional projects and programmes
and innovative initiatives.
52.
They directed all SAARC institutions and
mechanisms to work collectively towards
a decade dedicated to implementation so
that a visible and discernible impact
can be felt across South Asia. They emphasized
that while this would enable SAARC to
realize its basic objectives of improving
the quality of life of all South Asian
peoples, it would at the same time create
an enabling environment towards the establishment
of a South Asian Economic Union. They
directed the Standing Committee to formulate
its recommendations, at its next Special
Session, on a Vision for SAARC's Third
Decade and the course of action for its
realization, to be elaborated by a high-level
Committee of Senior Officials.
Date
and venue of the Fourteenth SAARC Summit
53. The
Heads of State or Government welcomed
the offer of the Government of India to
host the Fourteenth SAARC Summit in the
first quarter of 2007.
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