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PR. No.233/2008

Date: 30/07/2008    

FOREIGN SECRETARY'S REMARKS AT THE SAARC STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING, COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

•  Pakistan supports the general thrust of Secretary General's analysis and his recommendations.

•  We share Secretary General's view that a strong emphasis must be given to poverty alleviation and the attainment of SAARC Development Goals (SDGs). Pakistan has incorporated the SDGs into our national development plans backed up appropriate resources.

•  We agree with the Secretary General that SAARC countries should focus on harnessing indigenous sources of energy. We should focus on cooperation in solar, wind, bio and hydro energy, and strengthen regional energy related institutions.

•  Regional energy cooperation necessitates creating an enabling environment. SAARC should, therefore, consider concluding a “Regional Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation”.

•  We support the proposal to strengthen SAARC Energy Center and the implementation of proposed SAARC-GTZ project titled “Support on renewable energies and energy efficiency to the SAARC Energy Centre”.

•  Food security is another important area of regional cooperation. We hope that the “SAARC Food Bank” will be established soon.

•  While pursuing food security, SAARC should adopt a holistic approach. We should share and learn from best practices in the region and beyond. We should also explore the possibility of initiating joint venture projects in food and agriculture. Some of these projects could be financed by SAARC Development Fund (SDF).

•  Cooperation in finance and banking underpins economic and commercial interactions. We are happy that the meetings of SAARC Finance Ministers and the Governors of the Central Banks of SAARC States are serving as useful forums for macro-economic policy coordination.

•  We note with satisfaction that SAFTA is progressing well. Pakistan supports adoption of additional trade facilitation measures to supplement SAFTA. We also support commencement of negotiations on the Framework Agreement on Trade in Services under SAFTA.

•  We welcome signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of South Asian Regional Standard Organization during 15 th SAARC Summit.

•  We hope that the SAARC Treaty on Investment would be finalized soon.

•  We also support efforts to enhance cooperation in the areas of transport and communication to help improve regional trade.

•  We believe SAARC should continue to attach priority to the implementation of SAARC Conventions on suppression of terrorism, narcotic drugs, and trafficking in women and children.

•  Pakistan is committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Pakistan has already taken a number of measures and enacted enabling legislations to combat terrorism, drugs and human trafficking.

•  We welcome the conclusion of the SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.

•  We agree with the Secretary General that the capacity of the SAARC Secretariat should be enhanced to enable it to respond effectively and professionally to its increasing responsibilities. The Programming Committee could be tasked to deliberate on this issue and present its recommendations to this Committee for decisions.

•  We also support enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Regional Centers. Any increase in the resources for these Centers should be considered as part of the overall efforts to improve their functioning.

•  On SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, there are some implementation issues. The forthcoming meeting of the SAARC Immigration Authorities in Islamabad can resolve those issues.

•  Finally, Pakistan strongly supports the meaningful association of the Observers in the implementation of SAARC projects. SAARC can benefit from their experience and resources.

Islamabad

30 July 2008