Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that New Delhi seeks to promote early ratification of South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), decision to establish the SAARC Development Fund, a South Asian University and SAARC food bank.
New Delhi, Dec 7 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that New Delhi seeks to promote early ratification of South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), decision to establish the SAARC Development Fund, a South Asian University and SAARC food bank.
"An integrated South Asia will bring benefits to the people of the region," Singh said in his message to the 22nd Anniversary of the signing of the charter establishing the SAARC.
The Prime Minister further said that he hopes that SAARC would become "a shining example of regional cooperation and reflect immense potential and shared heritage of the people of South Asia."
The SAARC Council of Ministers (Foreign Ministers of SAARC nations) meeting began here today. Such meetings are held after every six months of the SAARC Summit.
The meeting of the Council of Ministers will review the implementation of decisions taken at the last summit in New Delhi and will review economic, social and cultural cooperation among SAARC countries in the context of the Delhi Declaration.
The SAARC council of ministers will also set the tone for the next SAARC Summit, scheduled to be held in the Maldives.
ANI