ID :
14560
Fri, 08/01/2008 - 15:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/14560
The shortlink copeid
SAARC FSs for making regional food bank operational quickly
COLOMBO, July 31 (BSS) - The SAARC Standing Committee meeting today recommended making the Regional Food Bank operational as soon as possible to ensure food security in theSAARC member- states.
Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Foreign Secretary Tauhid Hossain said the Standing Committee, comprising Foreign Secretaries of the eight SAARC countries, dealt with comprehensive agenda for the 15th SAARC summit set to begin hereon August 2.
Tauhid said the issue of food security was given due importance in the meeting and a separate statement on foodsecurity will be issued, besides the Colombo Declaration.
He said the agriculture ministries of SAARC member countries would enhance cooperation between them for ensuring food securityin the region.
The SAARC members countries, sources said, will exchange agriculture expertise and transfer technology under the umbrellaof SAARC for ensuring food security of the region.
Tauhid said the Standing Committee also discussed the modalities of the Regional Food Bank and the related rules andpolicies to make it operational.
The meeting, he said, also discussed withdrawal of tariff and non-tariff barriers under SAFTA and also reduction of the sensitive lists of moveable commodities. In this regard, he said,the concerned ministers will meet in Male, the Maldives.
The Standing Committee recommended that Australia and Myanmar be given observer status in the eight-nation regional forum and the matter would be placed before the SAARC ForeignMinisters' meeting due to begin tomorrow.
Tauhid said the SAARC convention on mutual assistance oncriminal matter will be signed.
Sri Lanka proposed to form a regional economic unit, he saidadding the proposal will be examined.
The Standing Committee also proposed to start negotiationson trade and services under SAFTA.
Tauhid said the ninth and 10th SAARC trade fairs will beheld in Bhutan and Nepal respectively.
Besides recommending the draft Colombo Declaration, themeeting focussed on climate change and energy.
Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Foreign Secretary Tauhid Hossain said the Standing Committee, comprising Foreign Secretaries of the eight SAARC countries, dealt with comprehensive agenda for the 15th SAARC summit set to begin hereon August 2.
Tauhid said the issue of food security was given due importance in the meeting and a separate statement on foodsecurity will be issued, besides the Colombo Declaration.
He said the agriculture ministries of SAARC member countries would enhance cooperation between them for ensuring food securityin the region.
The SAARC members countries, sources said, will exchange agriculture expertise and transfer technology under the umbrellaof SAARC for ensuring food security of the region.
Tauhid said the Standing Committee also discussed the modalities of the Regional Food Bank and the related rules andpolicies to make it operational.
The meeting, he said, also discussed withdrawal of tariff and non-tariff barriers under SAFTA and also reduction of the sensitive lists of moveable commodities. In this regard, he said,the concerned ministers will meet in Male, the Maldives.
The Standing Committee recommended that Australia and Myanmar be given observer status in the eight-nation regional forum and the matter would be placed before the SAARC ForeignMinisters' meeting due to begin tomorrow.
Tauhid said the SAARC convention on mutual assistance oncriminal matter will be signed.
Sri Lanka proposed to form a regional economic unit, he saidadding the proposal will be examined.
The Standing Committee also proposed to start negotiationson trade and services under SAFTA.
Tauhid said the ninth and 10th SAARC trade fairs will beheld in Bhutan and Nepal respectively.
Besides recommending the draft Colombo Declaration, themeeting focussed on climate change and energy.
