UN to continue to support Saarc states for peace, dev

"This is the critical time in Saarc mission to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia through economic growth and social progress," Kofi Annan said in a message for the 13th summit of the seven-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) which began in Dhaka yesterday.

The UN Secretary General said the implementation of South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta) framework will mark the beginning of a new period of economic cooperation and integration in the South Asian region, where 40 percent of the world's poor live.

"The signing of the Additional Protocol to the Saarc Regional Convention on Combating Terrorism was a significant contribution to global efforts to combat terrorism while upholding the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights," he said.

Annan said he looked forward to a strengthened partnership with Saarc nations following the General Assembly's recent adoption of a resolution granting the Saarc observer status.

He hoped that the member states would respond to the occasion with vision, goodwill and courage, and be ready to take far-reaching measures to adapt and renew the United Nations.

KOIZUMI
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi hoped that the 13th Saarc Summit in Dhaka would be a resounding success and the regional forum would continue to play a pivotal role in bringing prosperity to South Asia and Asia as a whole.

In a message to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, also chair of the 13th Saarc Summit, Koizumi said, "It's truly delightful to be a witness to a drastic development in the recent relationship between Japan and the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states."

"I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Bangladesh for hosting the 13th Saarc Summit on the association's 20th anniversary. I have no doubt that your outstanding leadership will make this memorial meeting a resounding success with a number of splendid results," he said.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
In a message to Khaleda Zia, European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso said the EC has been a long standing and keen supporter of Saarc efforts.

"Last year's summit in Islamabad paved the way for promising progress in South Asian Cooperation," he said.

Barroso hoped that the 13th Saarc Summit in Dhaka would pursue last year's achievements and assured that the European Union stands by the side of the Saarc and its member states as they enter "the decade of implementation."

CHINESE PREMIER
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has congratulated Prime Minister Khaleda Zia as Chair of 13th Saarc Summit, and other Saarc leaders on the occasion of its summit in Dhaka.

In a message to Khaleda Zia, Jiabao said: "We are ready to join hands with South Asian countries to strengthen mutual cooperation and realise common prosperity."

He wished the 13th Saarc Summit a complete success.