The newly elected Saarc chairperson and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia has opined that the mistrust that deterred the smooth implementation of agreements and understandings withers away gradually.
She said the 13th summit of Saarc that ended in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon succeeded in bringing the seven member nations closer.
Begum Zia was addressing a crowded press conference at International Conference Centre housed in her Secretariat, here on Sunday.
In replying a question, she said the mistrust, prevailed earlier, was removed to a great extent at the 13th summit. "Understanding is firmer than ever 'before," she opined and suggested, "We comprehend the problems of our region, which are to be addressed through collective co-operation of all the countries of the regions".
The Bangladesh Prime Minister said we came to a consensus to eradicate poverty, health hazard, illiteracy, terrorism, etc, from our region.
On eradication of terrorism, she said, all the countries of the region are infested with terrorism and they do not like it. "It is to be eradicated for peace and economic development," Khaleda Zia suggested.
When asked whether Safta would cause the interest of Bangladesh, she said, "I do not think that Safta will cause Bangladesh in any way. Bangladesh now produces many quality products. Still before implementing it we will analyse it carefully. We will not do anything, which will go against our interest."
On the inclusion of Afghanistan as member of Saarc and China and Japan as observers, she said, "Certain modalities of Saarc Charter will have to be amended and these countries will also have to fulfil some formalities."