THIMPHU, (Bhutan), April 29 (APP) - Expressing satisfaction on the success of 16th SAARC Summit that concluded here Thursday, Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Jigmi Yoeser Thinley said engagement between the prime ministers of Pakistan and India was also a clear indication of the success of the summit. Addressing a press conference here at the conclusion of two day 16 South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Prime Minister of Bhutan said all the countries in SAARC are equal.
He said both Pakistan and India participated in the summit despite their issues at home and came here with determination to actively participate in the summit.
He said it was good for the region that if two countries have any concern, they can have the opportunity to hold bilateral talks to discuss them.
The issue of meeting between prime ministers of Pakistan and India was subject of media and not by the SAARC secretariat, he added.
Referring to the talks held between Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of SAARC summit, the Prime Minister of Bhutan said it demonstrated mutual desire of the two countries to have negotiations.
He said the negotiations and dialogue process is always helpful in promoting the relations between the two countries and it would be helpful in promoting bilateral relations and it was mutual desire of all the countries.
He said Bhutan and all other countries are willing to have further interaction between Pakistan and India so that the people of the two countries could be brought closer.
Replying to a question about big and small countries in the SAARC, the Prime Minister of Bhutan said there is no discrimination on the basis of size of the country and all the members of the SAARC are enjoying equal status.
He said, “I am very optimistic and improvement in Pak-India relations will help in the betterment of the SAARC region.”
About the summit, he said, “We remained committed to the agenda prepared for it and discussed it and approved it with the active participation of all the leaders.”
Replying to a question about the role of observers, the Prime Minister of Bhutan said, they believe in SAARC and interested to have positive contribution for the betterment and improvement of the region through their support.
He gave the example of China for announcing the donation of dollars 300,000 for the SAARC Development Fund and expressed the hope that there is positive contribution from other observers.
Prime Minister of Bhutan said due to lack of trust there has been problem in the implementation on the agreements previously signed by the SAARC and assured that as new Chairman he would ensure early implementation on these agreements.
He said that new mechanisms are being formulated for the implementations on the agreements.
He added that Youth Forum of SAARC is being established and each head of the state and government in SAARC would be the patron of this new wing of the SAARC to promote interaction between the youth of the region.
Answering a question about opening up of embassies of members of SAARC in Bhutan, he said, there are over 200 countries in the world and it is not possible to have embassies of all the countries here. He however said Bhutan is situated in the corner of the world and it is difficult for many countries to have embassy here.
The Prime Minister of Bhutan however assured there will be progress regarding opening of embassies of SAARC countries here and this process will start soon.
Regarding relaxation of visa for common people travelling the among the members states of SAARC, the Prime Minister of Bhutan said due to security issue it is not the safest region in the world, therefore it is difficult to provide the facility of free travel.
He said with the passage of time and with growing understanding and reduction in cross border terrorism, there is possibility that in future there will be more relaxation in visa regime among the SAARC summits.
He said all the leaders are satisfied on the progress and success of the summit and they are leaving Bhutan with the hope for the better future of the region.
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