'EU-SA coop critical to world prosperity'

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FE Report
Speakers at a seminar Monday underscored the need for strengthening cooperation between SAARC and the European Union given the dramatic geo-political changes across the world.
The two regions have diverse resources and requirements, which should be exchanged to build a prosperous world, they said.
South Asian experts urged their governments to boost relations with the 27-nation region al grouping by burying past the colonial hangover.
The call came at the seminar organised by South Asia Youth for Peace and Prosperity in the city where diplomats, academics and youths from different South Asian and European countries attended.
Addressing as the chief guest, former Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman said realising the greater importance of regional cooperation, the European Union (EU) has made significant progress in socio-economic and cultural development.
He said the EU also addressed many ethnic and minority problems through integrated solutions and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries can take help from their experience as this region also has a number of unresolved ethnic and minority issues.
Regarding the country's political situation, he urged the politicians for a home-grown solution to the ongoing political crisis developed over the issue of caretaker government.
Terming it 'Made in Bangladesh solution', Mr. Rahman, who is also a former caretaker government chief, said in democracy, there will be difference of opinions. But there are also solutions to problems arising out of any issue, the jurist told the media.
He noted that the SAARC is the weakest regional forum in the world, blaming its political leaders for being 'non-cooperative' and 'non- flexible.'
Paula Casaca, former EU Parliament Member of Belgium, said the reinforcement of SAARC is the right strategy to fulfill the expectations and obligations of both regions for freedom, democracy, equal opportunities, lasting development and economic prosperity.
He presented a paper titled 'EU-SAARC Cooperation, a new global challenge' in the seminar.
Paula Casaca in reaction to dramatic geopolitical changes across the world said, the EU endorsed a regional multi-cultural view of its international relations in the last two decades, multiplying contacts and agreements with regional associations elsewhere in the world.
He said the two regional associations can make relationship mainly in three sectors-- alternative energy, new trade opportunities and global stability.
Prof Imtiaz Ahmed, of International Relations Department of Dhaka University, said European nations witnessed many wars and bloodshed in the past, but now they have a very different Europe.
There is a serious problem in our region. India and Pakistan appear to be at war game which is really ridiculous, he said.
"There has to be a re-writing of South Asia if we really want to improve," Dr Ahmed said.
Former foreign secretary CM Shafi Sami said despite a common history, and traditions, there are conflicts over sharing of resources like water in South Asia. Besides, domestic politics is quite influential in terms of regional cooperation, he noted.
He suggested that SAARC, being a younger bloc, can learn from the EU how it addressed the domestic political issues, supervised and implemented the regional projects for economic growth and social development.
Dr Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, first secretary of Indian High Commission in Dhaka, said in today's globalised world, it is the shared prosperity that can ensure peace and security.
Individually, the EU has strong relations with the South Asian nations, but the EU-SAARC relation is not very strong. "There is a lot to be done here," he said.
Aamer Ahmed Atozai, fist secretary of Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, suggested more investments and transfer of technologies from the EU to the region. Job opportunities for the youths of this region in the EU could be an area of greater cooperation, he noted.
AG Abeysekera, a minister in Sri Lankan High Commission, and KC Aryal, deputy chief of mission of Nepalese embassy in Dhaka, also addressed the seminar.
Dr. Jayanta Choudhury, Assistant Professor of Tripura University of India, Professor Ali Shukhanvir of Pakistan, Punjit Pradhan, a journalist from Nepal also spoke at the seminar, among others.