BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

VISION OF SAARC IN ITS THIRD DECADE-A PERSPECTIVE

Author: Mohammed Mohsin

DOI Link: DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2004v25n4a6

ABSTRACT

While the process of regional cooperation within the framework of SAARC has been admittedly slow and halting, the holding of SAARC summits, other Ministerial and official meetings are indeed positive indications for SAARC. In this context, the 12st SAARC Summit made some landmark achievements. In order that the cooperation processes sustain the momentum, a number of measures are suggested in the paper. The first suggestion is to strengthen SAARC' Secretariat and raise the status of the Secretary General to ministerial rank. A second suggestion is to expedite the proposed investment agreement to precede SAFTA, and initiate some joint high profile projects to make impact on the development process. Thirdly, concerning financial resources for the SAARC Secretariat, the Member States may consider deciding upon some arrangements for regular funding. For this purpose, again the well established practice followed by the European Union is worth studying by the SAARC members. Perhaps SAARC, which is also driven by political and economic considerations, has something to emulate from the European experience and instead of other regional integration initiatives/experiences which are mainly powered and driven by the interests of global multinational companies, etc.