BIMSTEC signs terrorism pact, pushes for early FTA
Saturday, 12 December 2009
The seven-member Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral, Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) signed a convention to combat terrorism and agreed to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) soon at its 12th ministerial meeting in Myanmar's new capital Nay Pyi Taw Friday.
Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand and Nepal signed the convention on 'Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Trans-National Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking', reports UNB.
Inaugurating the meeting, Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein emphasised on cooperation in combating terrorism and trans-national organised crime.
With the ongoing Copenhagen climate conference in mind, the ministers agreed to include climate change as an important area of cooperation and work together in mitigation and adaptation efforts in the region.
"We are confident that the inclusion of this new area of cooperation will contribute significantly to the joint efforts on the mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the BIMSTEC region," said a joint statement, according to IANS.
The seven countries also decided to sign pacts on establishment of BIMSTEC Energy Centre, Centre for Weather and Climate and Cultural Industries Commission at the earliest.
They also decided to expand intra-regional economic cooperation and called for finalisation of the BIMSTEC FTA Agreement on Trade in Goods at the earliest.
"We reaffirmed the importance of the BIMSTEC FTA in promoting trade and investment in a mutually beneficial manner for all Member States, and enhancing competitiveness and socio-economic development in the BIMSTEC region," the joint statement said.
The BIMSTEC has identified 14 areas of cooperation, which include health, energy, technology, human resource development, trade, tourism and culture.
Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand and Nepal signed the convention on 'Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Trans-National Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking', reports UNB.
Inaugurating the meeting, Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein emphasised on cooperation in combating terrorism and trans-national organised crime.
With the ongoing Copenhagen climate conference in mind, the ministers agreed to include climate change as an important area of cooperation and work together in mitigation and adaptation efforts in the region.
"We are confident that the inclusion of this new area of cooperation will contribute significantly to the joint efforts on the mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the BIMSTEC region," said a joint statement, according to IANS.
The seven countries also decided to sign pacts on establishment of BIMSTEC Energy Centre, Centre for Weather and Climate and Cultural Industries Commission at the earliest.
They also decided to expand intra-regional economic cooperation and called for finalisation of the BIMSTEC FTA Agreement on Trade in Goods at the earliest.
"We reaffirmed the importance of the BIMSTEC FTA in promoting trade and investment in a mutually beneficial manner for all Member States, and enhancing competitiveness and socio-economic development in the BIMSTEC region," the joint statement said.
The BIMSTEC has identified 14 areas of cooperation, which include health, energy, technology, human resource development, trade, tourism and culture.