15th SAARC Summit concludes in Colombo

Colombo, Aug 3: The 15th SAARC summit is to conclude in Sri Lankan capital, here, on Sunday, Aug 3 afternoon. The heads of the State and the Governments from the eight member regional grouping will wind up their two day deliberations with a joint declaration on issues of mutual concern and multilateral interests.

The declaration is expected to underline the collective resolve of the countries to take on terrorism head on. The leaders are expected to reaffirm their resolve for collective regional efforts to accelerate economic, socials and cultural development of the member nations. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in his speech on the opening session on Saturday had urged the member countries to jointly fight against the menace of terrorism, which he had described as 'the single biggest threat to stability in the region'.

The SAARC leaders this morning proceeded for a retreat at the Parliament House complex located at Jayawardenapura, in the outskirts of Colombo. The occasion is expected to offer the leaders informal ambience to share their perceptions.

Four agreements will be signed during the concluding session this afternoon. The agreement on mutual legal assistance on criminal matters is expected to pave way for better co-ordination in tackling trans-border terrorism.

ANI