SRI LANKA: South Asian leaders address terrorism, food prices

Record ID: 643736

  • Title: SRI LANKA: South Asian leaders address terrorism, food prices
  • Date: 4th August 2008
  • Summary: (BN11) COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (AUGUST 3, 2008) ( REUTERS) SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION (SAARC) LEADERS ENTERING CONFERENCE HALL FOREIGN MINISTERS SIGNING AGREEMENTS SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT ANNOUNCING DECISIONS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT MAHINDA RAJAPAKSE SAYING: "During the summit there was a clear recognition that terrorism has become a great menace through out the world, including 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 crime matters. We have condemned all forms of terrorist violence and emphasized that our states should firmly cooperate, especially through the exchange of information on terrorism and organized crime." SAARC LEADERS SHAKING HANDS LEADERS LEAVING STAGE
  • Embargoed: 19th August 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Sri Lanka
  • Country: Sri Lanka
  • Topics: International Relations,Economic News
  • Reuters ID: LVAC30Y1E7K8ZRO0XRXPAYPURKK7
  • Story Text: Members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) agree to cooperate in tackling terrorism and rising food prices, but make little progress on trade.
    South Asian leaders signed a legal cooperation pact on Sunday (August 3) aimed at combating terrorism and agreed to set up a food bank to fight hunger in the face of rising food prices in one of the world's poorest regions.
    But the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), a forum of eight nations, made little progress on trade, the central theme of the group formed in 1985.
    The summit provided no concrete steps to invigorate the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement which came into effect two years ago but which has failed to take off.
    Aimed at achieving zero tariffs on almost all products by 2012, SAFTA has witnessed squabbles over tariff concessions with Pakistan accusing India of violating the agreement with various non-tariff barriers.
    Instead, terrorism in one of the world's most troubled regions, long haunted by rivalries between its most powerful members, India and Pakistan, dominated the summit.
    Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives and Afghanistan make up the rest of SAARC, which represents around a fifth of the world's population.
    "During the summit, there was clear recognition that terrorism has become a great menace throughout the world, including in our region,"
    said Sri Lanka's president, Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the current SAARC chair.
    "South Asia cannot progress unless there is stability and security throughout the region."
    While the long-standing animosity of India and Pakistan define the security problems of the region, Afghanistan battles a resurgent Taliban and its effects extends to Pakistan's western borders, while a civil war drags on in Sri Lanka. Nepal still does not have a government and India says Bangladesh is a haven for some militant groups.
    The legal assistance deal will melt down borders among the SAARC countries when it comes to exchange of information and judicial processes related to crime and terrorism.
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