Dhaka summit to focus on trade, terrorism
Saarc nations finalise programmes
Staff Correspondent
The Dhaka Declaration at the 13th Saarc Summit is likely to include ways to increase regional trade through Safta and a greater focus on implementing regional projects and finding out potential areas of economic co-operation. Advisor to the Foreign ministry Reaz Rahman said this while briefing newsmen about the programme for the summit which was finalised yesterday. The Dhaka Declaration may also include ways to stop financing of terrorist activities within the region under the additional protocol on terrorism and the social charter on the rights of individuals, both signed at the 12th summit in Islamabad. The programme for the seven-nation 13th South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc) Summit, to be held on February 6 and 7, was finalised after all member states okayed the draft programme proposed by Dhaka last Saturday. Rahman said the Saarc cultural festival, planned on the summit sidelines, has been cancelled as the summit would carry a sombre tone following the Asian Tsunami that devastated three Saarc countries and forced the hosts to postpone it. The summit was originally scheduled for January 9-11 but postponed after the December 26 tsunami. Later, the member countries agreed to a fresh schedule. According to the revised programme, the Saarc leaders will arrive here on February 5. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will receive them at Zia International Airport. After attending the inaugural ceremony at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) on February 6, the Saarc leaders will visit the National Memorial at Savar to pay homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War. They will also visit the grave of Ziaur Rahman in the capital to pay respect to the late president who had envisioned the regional bloc. The Saarc leaders will hold bilateral meetings the same day before joining a prime ministerial banquet in the evening at the BCFCC. However, the members can also arrange bilateral meets at their own convenient time. On the second day, the leaders will enjoy a retreat at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka in the morning and later attend the concluding ceremony at the International Conference Centre at the Prime Minister's Office. The leaders' departures are scheduled for the same day, likely to be started off by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A programme for the Saarc leaders' spouses has also been planned on the concluding day (February 7). An exhibition of traditional Bangladeshi products, including handicrafts, will be arranged at the state guesthouse Padma. Although the Saarc cultural festival has been cancelled, a performance by Bangladeshi artistes would follow the prime ministerial banquet at the CBFCC. Fifteen foreign ministry officials have been appointed to co-ordinate different programmes and events of the pre-summit agenda meetings and the main summit, Reaz Rahman told the journalists.
|