South Asia leaders call for action against terrorism, more trade

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

COLOMBO(AFP) — South Asian leaders wrapping up a summit in Colombo have called for joint action against terrorism and more regional trade, according to a draft declaration to be released Sunday.

The eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation called for collective action to combat "all forms of terrorist violence" that was threatening their "peace, stability and security."

Leaders agreed to implement a regional trade pact -- signed in 1995 but never fully implemented -- "in letter and in spirit" to ensure a free flow of goods and services between the region of 1.5 billion people.

SAARC, which groups Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, noted the urgent need to develop energy and food security,...