Pakistan endorses recommendation for setting up of Saarc Food Bank: foreign office

Pakistan fully endorses the recommendations for concluding "Regional Framework Agreement for Energy Co-operation" and Establishment of 'Saarc Food Bank', says foreign office statement. Pakistan also supports additional trade facilitation measures to supplement Safta, which is progressing well, it added.
Being front-line state in war against terror, Pakistan is committed to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Pakistan supports the general thrust of Secretary General's analysis and his recommendations. Strong emphasis must be given to poverty alleviation and the attainment of Saarc Development Goals (SDGs). Pakistan has incorporated the SDGs into national development plans backed up by appropriate resources.
Pakistan agrees with the Secretary General's remarks that Saarc countries should focus on harnessing indigenous sources of energy and focus on co-operation in solar, wind, bio and hydro energy, and strengthen regional energy related institutions. Regional energy co-operation necessitates creating an enabling environment. Saarc should, therefore, consider concluding a "Regional Framework Agreement for Energy Co-operation."
The proposal to strengthen Saarc Energy Centre and the implementation of proposed Saarc -GTZ project titled "Support on renewable energies and energy efficiency to the Saarc Energy Centre" was also endorsed by Pakistan. Food security is another important area of regional co-operation. We hope that the "Saarc Food Bank" will be established soon.
While pursuing food security, Saarc should adopt a holistic approach and also explore the possibility of initiating joint venture projects in food and agriculture. Some of these projects could be financed by Saarc Development Fund (SDF).
Co-operation in finance and banking underpins economic and commercial interactions. The meetings of Saarc Finance Ministers and the Governors of the Central Banks of Saarc States are serving as useful forums for macro-economic policy co-ordination.
Pakistan supports adoption of additional trade facilitation measures to supplement Safta and also in favour of commencement of negotiations on the Framework Agreement on Trade in Services under Safta. The Agreement on the Establishment of South Asian Regional Standard Organisation during 15th Saarc Summit is also endorsed by Pakistan.
Pakistan hopes that the Saarc treaty on investment would be finalised soon and also supports efforts to enhance co-operation in the areas of transport and communication to help improve regional trade. Pakistan believes Saarc should continue to attach priority to the implementation of Saarc conventions on suppression of terrorism, narcotic drugs, and trafficking in women and children.
Pakistan is committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Pakistan has already taken a number of measures and enacted enabling legislations to combat terrorism, drugs and human trafficking and welcome the conclusion of the Saarc Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
On Saarc Visa Exemption Scheme, there are some implementation issues in this regard. The forthcoming meeting of the Saarc Immigration Authorities in Islamabad can resolve those issues. Finally, Pakistan strongly supports the meaningful association of the Observers in the implementation of Saarc projects. Saarc can benefit from their experience and resources.