KATHMANDU (Nepal): Arjun Thapa, the secretary general of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has ruled out the allegations regarding the success of the organisation. It will be incorrect to say that SAARC is not successful, he said.
SAARC has been working to expand regional cooperation since inception and it is getting more and more effective day by day. There is nothing to be frustrated. We are optimistic and we see a bright future for the SAARC, said Arjun Thapa.
The Nepalese secretary general of SAARC was sharing his views and visions with Banglanews24.com at an exclusive interview in Kathmandu.
Banglanews’ Diplomatic Correspondent Jasmine Papri, who is now writing from Nepal ahead of SAARC Summit schedule for November 27-28 this year, was interviewing Mr Thapa at SAARC secretariat in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Arjun Thapa took over the responsibility on March 1 this year, and he was serving as foreign secretary of Nepal government before that.
I do not agree with the perception that SAARC is doing nothing, I am hopeful about SAARC, Mr. Thapa was saying while answering a question.
The member countries have signed a good numbers of agreements and more new agreements are on the pipeline.
South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), Regional convention on the welfare of women and children, SAARC arbitration council formation, Prevention of child prostitution and human trafficking are among those 10 to 12 agreements signed so far, Mr. Thapa mentioned.
However we are to walk many more miles for a proper implementation of those agreements, he added.
For its successful implementation all heads of governments of the member countries will have to work together, he said.
All out efforts have been taken to implement the agreements and we are moving on a right track, an optimistic Arjun Thapa said.
To answer a question regarding the challenges of SAARC, the secretary general underscored on a look-forward approach and also on good understanding among the SAARC leaders.
People like to say, `SAARC is nothing but a cocktail party of South Asian leaders’ Banglanews tabled another common conception on the regional organisation during the discussion, while it was confidently rejected by the Secretary General.
In this 29 years of journey we have rightly established the identity of SAARC as an organisation of regional cooperation, so this is not a little achievement, he said.
Speaking on the success of the SAARC the career diplomat, who completed his assignments in 38 countries, mentioned about SAARC visa scheme, easier and less costly tourism, cultural exchanges etc. These have helped to increase the mutual connectivity among the people of member countries, he said.
Now it is possible to visit India or Nepal from Bangladesh by road, he mentioned.
SAARC cannot be compared with ASEAN or European Union(EU). Because these regional organizations are characteristically different and much older than SAARC, Arjun Thapa said while answering another query form Banglanews.
To clarify the characteristics of EU he said, EU member countries have done everything for free movement of citizens, habitation and business development keeping their own identity and sovereignty intact with the object of forming greater alliance and the process is still going on. They have a separate parliament. So this is completely different in nature. In no way this can be compared with SAARC.
The Nepalese diplomat was also talking about the futere potentialities of SAARC. There are possibilities of more coming-closer, more development and more connectivity among the member states, he said.
In reply to another question he informed that in future there are possibilities of increasing official visa and business visa.
Arjun Thapa mentioned that he holds three year visa and the visa term is given on the basis of its usefulness. So someone can get visa for three moths and some for three years, he opined.
South Asian University has been established in New Delhi and at this moment there is no idea to establish more campuses elsewhere, Mr Thapa said while was answering another query.
This diplomat who visited Bangladesh twice earlier mentioned that the bilateral relation between Nepal and Bangladesh is pulling well and the citizens of both countries are getting results out of it.
The 18th SAARC summit is going to be inaugurated on November 22, while on November 26 & 27 the summit of SAARC leaders will be held at Nepalese capital Kathmandu. The SAARC secretariat is passing a busy time in this connection.
Arjun Thapa informed that some important agreements will be signed in the upcoming summit and the preliminary works have already been done in this regard. The agreements will help to build closer relationship among the member countries.
On December 8 of 1985 SAARC was established at Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka with the object of increasing regional cooperation in the South Asia in the field of economic, social and cultural arena. The founding members are Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Srilanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan. In 2007 Afghanistan was the last country to be its member.
The Summit held every year. However due to internal problems in Nepal the summit was delayed for two years. The last 17th SAARC summit was held at Maldives in the tourist city of Addu. On last February 20 in Bandos island of Maldives it was decided to hold 18th SAARC summit in Nepal.
BDST 1444 HRS, Nov 07, 2014
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