Visa free regime likely for SAARC journalists:Dasmunsi

New Delhi, Apr 1 (UNI) Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi today indicated that the coming SAARC Summit here on April 3-4 may approve a visa free regime for SAARC journalists in the region.

''Free exchange of media in the region should not be undermined in any manner...something positive is expected to emerge on this front in the next few days,'' he said formally inaugurating the two-day SAARC Journalists Summit III, organised by the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA).

Nearly 100 senior journalists from SAARC countries--India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives-- are attending the meet, being held on the eve of the 14th SAARC Summit. A few journalists from Afghanistan, which will formally become the eighth member of SAARC at the summit, are also participating.

Mr Dasmunsi regretted that there were restrictions on the movement of journalists in the region despite the fact that the media was playing a positive role in promoting bilateral ties among member-countries.

However, he was of the view that the journalists from SAARC countries should also concentrate more on highlighting social issues in a big way. ''Is it not the time for SAFMA to desperately concentrate on issues that are vital for the progress of the region.

There is need for highlighting the steps being taken to fight poverty, disease and hunger," he emphasised.

The minister said the coming SAARC Summit was of vital importance to region, given the fast changing situation in Asia, particularly in West Asia. '' Bilateral issues will never cloud SAARC. That is why SAARC is gaining strength,'', he added.

Mr Dasmunsi said the SAARC countries had also approved Iran's proposal to become an observer at SAARC meetings. The United States, China, Japan, South Korea and the European Union had already been given the observer status by SAARC.

MORE UNI