ISLAMABAD, March 26: President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday called for conflict resolution for durable peace and to realize the true economic potential of the region.

Addressing delegates of the 3rd Asia and India Regions Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference at a reception in their honour at the Aiwan-i-Sadr, the president said that he was endeavouring to resolve conflicts in the region.

The president said the South Asian region had tremendous potential for progress, development and cooperation for the socio-economic uplift of its people.

He urged developed states to fulfil their obligations under the UN Millennium Development Goals by contributing 0.7 per cent of their GDP for poverty reduction and improvement of social services in the developing countries by 2016, the deadline set by the United Nations.

He cautioned that unless industrialized countries fulfil their promises towards the less developed states their prosperity would be undermined by poverty.

President Musharraf said that interaction amongst parliamentarians was important and would contribute to fostering greater cooperation in the legislative bodies of the region and could also be beneficial for all by sharing their experience and knowledge.—APP

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