SAARC should also focus on energy, environment and food security

Foreign Minister Inamul Haq said on Friday that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) should focus on new projects of energy, environment, and food and water security, in addition to its ongoing programmes. SAARC aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in its seven member states – Pakistan Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. At a meeting with SAARC Secretary General Chankyab Dorji, who is on his farewell visit to Pakistan, Haq called SAARC a “viable mechanism for the promotion of peace, development and progress”. He said the association must establish itself as a credible regional organisation and evolve concrete programmes to reflect the aspirations of the people of the region. Dorji praised the valuable contribution of Pakistan in making SAARC a success. He also met Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan on Friday and discussed the implementation of SAARC’s major decisions with him. Dorji told Khan about achievements SAARC made under him, including holding of two summits, expansion of the association to include Afghanistan and grant of observer status to the United States, European Union and China. app

Source: dailytimes.com.pk