Prime Minister to underscore need for cooperation on energy issues: address at Saarc summit

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is expected to underscore need for energy co-operation among South Asian countries in his address at 17th Saarc Summit starting on Thursday, November 10, 2011 in Addu, Maldives, besides urging member states to ensure region-wide food security.
The Prime Minister, who left for Maldives on Wednesday to lead Pakistan's delegation in the two-day 17TH Saarc Summit, is also expected to hold important meeting with his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh on the margins of the Summit today. According to sources, the two leaders will discuss key issues of mutual interest including the move to grant most favoured nation (MFN) status to India and the resumed dialogue process between the two countries. Earlier, it was stated that the meeting between the two will be held on Friday.
According to Foreign Office, bilateral meetings of the Prime Minister with his counterparts of Saarc countries have been scheduled. "Pakistan favours Saarc linkages with Observers and international institutions", said Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua. She said that the Prime Minister would also hold bilateral meetings with representatives of some observer states.
Heads of sates or governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka would be attending the Summit. Representatives from the Observer States will also be participating in the Summit. According to Foreign Office spokesperson, Gilani is expected to highlight important issues like matters relating to poverty alleviation, energy co-operation, interaction in agriculture and rural development, co-operation for welfare of women and children and development of better health facilities for the peoples of South Asia in his key address.
The Summit will adopt a Declaration titled "Building Bridges", which will focus on issues ranging from physical connectivity in the region to trade, economic, financial and environmental co-operation. In addition, the Secretariat of Saarc Development Fund would also be inaugurated at the Summit. "Pakistan attaches great importance to Saarc and has played a proactive role to make Saarc a model of regional co-operation by building economic synergies among the member states", said Tehmina.
At Pakistan's initiative, Colombo Statement on Food Security was adopted during the 15th Saarc Summit in 2008 and Prime Minister will urge upon the Heads of State or Government to ensure region-wide food security and make South Asia, once again, the granary of the world, she added.
"Pakistan is of the view that energy co-operation is a driver for co-operation among Saarc leading to economic growth and durable peace in the region", the spokesperson said, adding that Pakistan introduced the concept of Energy Ring in South Asia which became the vision of Saarc leaders for the attainment of Energy Security. While lending unconditional support to regional initiatives, she said "Pakistan hopes to further consolidate its bilateral relations with Saarc member countries".