BIMSTEC leaders agree to work together to tackle pressing issues
Friday, 14 November 2008
NEW DELHI, Nov 13 (UNB): The leaders of BIMSTEC emerged from their summit meet here Thursday with a unanimous decision to work jointly to tackle the challenges like global financial crisis, concerns over energy and food security and climate change now confronting the entire world community.
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the current chair of the sub-regional grouping that encompasses South and Southeast Asia, disclosed that the agreement was struck during a ceremonial retreat of the leaders for a close interaction.
"The retreat provided us a useful opportunity to exchange views on several pressing issues such as the international financial crisis, energy security, food security and climate change. There was a common desire among all leaders to work together to meet these challenges," the Indian premier told a post-retreat joint press briefing at Hotel Taj Palace in the afternoon.
He said the leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress that has been made in the negotiation for a Free Trade Agreement in trade in goods and called for their early conclusion.
Dr Manmohan observed that the summit gave a strong political impetus to strengthening cooperation under the forum in the identified thirteen areas of cooperation.
"We have agreed to direct our officials to focus on concrete outcomes and implementation of decisions that have been reached," he told the journalists.
The leaders of six other members of BIMSTEC--Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand--also attended the press-briefing on the outcome of the Delhi summit.
The Indian Prime Minister said the leaders agreed to focus on enhancing rail, road, air and shipping links in the BIMSTEC domain to further facilitate cultural exchange, business and tourism flows.
On a critical issue like international terrorism, the leaders expressed concern over the threat which terrorism poses to the BIMSTEC region.
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the current chair of the sub-regional grouping that encompasses South and Southeast Asia, disclosed that the agreement was struck during a ceremonial retreat of the leaders for a close interaction.
"The retreat provided us a useful opportunity to exchange views on several pressing issues such as the international financial crisis, energy security, food security and climate change. There was a common desire among all leaders to work together to meet these challenges," the Indian premier told a post-retreat joint press briefing at Hotel Taj Palace in the afternoon.
He said the leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress that has been made in the negotiation for a Free Trade Agreement in trade in goods and called for their early conclusion.
Dr Manmohan observed that the summit gave a strong political impetus to strengthening cooperation under the forum in the identified thirteen areas of cooperation.
"We have agreed to direct our officials to focus on concrete outcomes and implementation of decisions that have been reached," he told the journalists.
The leaders of six other members of BIMSTEC--Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand--also attended the press-briefing on the outcome of the Delhi summit.
The Indian Prime Minister said the leaders agreed to focus on enhancing rail, road, air and shipping links in the BIMSTEC domain to further facilitate cultural exchange, business and tourism flows.
On a critical issue like international terrorism, the leaders expressed concern over the threat which terrorism poses to the BIMSTEC region.