SAARC summit kicks off in Colombo; PM Koirala highlights
need for joint efforts to fight poverty
The 15th summit of South Asian Association for regional
Cooperation (SAARC) kicked off in Sri Lankan capital
Colombo Saturday.
Heads of delegations of the eight member states - Nepal,
India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Maldives, Bhutan,
Bangladesh and Afghanistan - jointly inaugurated the
regional summit.
Addressing the inaugural session, heads of the states and
governments of the SAARC nations highlighted the need for
common efforts to combat terrorism, human trafficking,
poverty allegation and establish better cultural and trade
relations.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who is leading the
Nepali delegation to the summit, stressed the SAARC
nations needed to exploit and share the natural resources
available in region for development and poverty
alleviation.
Addressing the session, Koirala described poverty and
unemployment as serious problems of the South Asian region
that required immediate attention.
Stating that governments in this region must make
collective efforts to control the rising prices of food
and fuel, PM Koirala also emphasised the need to protect
the environment.
"Rising price of fuel is creating big gap between haves
and have-nots. This gap should be narrowed down," he said.
Mentioning that Nepal is suffering from poverty and
unemployment, he sought economic support from the member
states for addressing the problem.
Koirala on the occasion also thanked former King Gyanendra
for his support by accepting the resolution of the
constituent assembly to establish federal democratic
republic. He said through this Nepal has set an example
for bloodless political transformation.
Saying he had left his mind back in Kathmandu despite his
physical presence in Colombo, Koirala expressed hope that
a new government would come be in place as soon he
returned to Nepal. nepalnews.com mk/ia Aug 02 08
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