ISLAMABAD, Jan 6: The 12th summit of the seven-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) concluded here on Tuesday with the adoption of Islamabad Declaration
, Additional Protocol to the Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) Framework Treaty.
The seven-page Islamabad Declaration calls for promoting peace, stability, amity and progress in the region through strict adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter and Non-Alignment, particularly respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, national independence, non-use of force and non-interference in the internal affairs of the states and peaceful settlement of all disputes.
The Declaration also underlines the importance of enhancing political cooperation. It reaffirms the pledge to promote good neighbourly relations and "recognizes the importance of informal political consultations in promoting mutual understanding and reinforcing confidence building process among member states."
"We envision South Asia to be a peaceful and stable region where each nation is at peace with itself and its neighbours and where conflicts, differences and disputes are addressed through peaceful means and dialogue," says the Declaration. It also reiterates the Commitment made at the 11th Saarc Summit for the creation of a South Asian Economic Union.
