ISLAMABAD, Jan 22: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri on Thursday said the joint declaration at the end of meeting between leaders of Pakistan and India was the result of political acumen of the leaders.

Speaking here at a dinner hosted for him by South Asia Free Media Association (Safma) at Islamabad Club, Mr Kasuri described the last minute talks as mental wrecking, adding that there were moments when the two sides lost hope.

He saluted the sagacity of the leadership of the two countries who made it possible. He said Saarc summit was a success as it achieved a breakthrough on major issues confronting the South Asian region and referred to the signing of agreements on poverty alleviation and social charter as positive development.

He said credit goes to all leaders of Saarc countries who made an effort to make the event a success. He was also appreciative of the role of media for making the environment conducive.

Mr Kasuri said he fully endorsed the idea of more frequent travel opportunities of media personnel between the two countries. He also extended his full support to Safma objectives of getting Saarc members to agree to free movement of mediapersons within Saarc countries and unhindered exchange of media products.

Those who attended the dinner included High Commissioner of India Shiv Shankar Menon, High Commissioner of Bangladesh Alimul Haque, German ambassador Dr Christoph Brummer, Deputy High Commissioner of India Raghavan, Deputy High Commissioner of Canada Bryon Burton, the representative of Hans Sidal Foundation, Andreas Reick; the chief of Paragon unit of the UNDP, Paul Oquist; first secretary of Netherlands Harry Putker, Norwegian ambassador Dr Janis Bjorn Kanavin, Mr Michael of the British High Commission, the chief of NORAD Mr Ramslien, the representative of the UNDP and the first secretaries of Nepal and Sri Lanka.