We have a range of documents avaliable from this Briefing:

The Briefing:
Opening Speech by H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi (pdf)

Remarks by other SAARC Ambassadors (pdf)

Q&A session transcript (pdf)

Briefing Photographs

Background Documents:
Islamabad Declaration (pdf)

SAFTA Declaration (pdf)

Social Charter (pdf)

SAARC Terrorism Protocol (pdf)

Outcomes and Implications of the SAARC Summit in Islamabad
Thursday 22nd  January, 2004, European Institute for Asian Studies

Guest Speaker:
H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union
On behalf of the Chair of the SAARC

With the presence of
H.E. Mr. P.K. Singh, Ambassador of India to the EU
H.E. Mr. Maudud Ali, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the EU
H.E. Mr. Narayan S. Thapa, Ambassador of Nepal to the EU
H.E. Mr. C.R. Jayasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the EU

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Questions & Answers From The Briefing

Q: Mr. Malcolm Subhan, Luncheon Briefing Chair and Vice Chair of the European Institute for Asian Studies:
Given the cooperation shown at the SAARC summit, do the ambassadors adopt a collective approach to the EU in discussing issues of mutual concern; for instance, as regards preferential trade?
A: H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union:
Not as yet. However, the EU has publicly and privately expressed great happiness at the results of the SAARC summit in Islamabad. Their representatives have already started studying how to assist these measures in becoming more fruitful. Developing further relations between SAARC and the EU are at a very early stage, but looking very hopeful. May I add that this has always been the goal of EU representatives.

Q: Ms. Maria Carrilho, MEP, European Parliament:
Aware of the great desire of South Asian people to travel within the region. The EU can do more, both formally and informally, in making sure that SAARC process continues: “Our influence can be greater than our assignments”. The EU should do all it can to try and develop further links between Europe and South Asia, including cooperation between universities and links between civil society organisations.

Q: Mr Thomas Mann, MEP, European Parliament, and Vice Chair of the South Delegation:
I have been Vice President of the EP South Asian delegation since 1994, and am President of the Tibet Intergroup. Regarding the SAARC summit in Islamabad, it is “amazing for us to hear this excellent result”. He recalls visiting Islamabad before the summit and hearing people say that they were distrustful of it coming up with any results, since bilateral conflict cannot be discussed at SAARC. Many of the local parliamentarians he met also said progress could not happen. Also, recalls how, when his delegation met with Musharraf, he said that he does so much to fight terrorism in Pakistan and other countries, but that this is not being recognised adequately.

Q: Mr Thomas Mann:
Are the results of the SAARC summit all talk? What concrete measures are being taken?
A: H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi:
Not all talk—see, for instance, the Terrorism Protocol which spells out how to combat terrorism in the region, especially as to the financing of terrorist groups. The EU has already offered, and we are already talking of how to strengthen institutions that combat terrorism.

Q: Ms. Shada Islam, journalist and member of the EIAS Board:
What exactly does SAARC want from the EU? Are there areas for cooperation between the SAARC countries in international forums?
A: H.E. Mr. P.K. Singh, Ambassador of India to the EU:
India enjoys numerous meetings with the EU on a regular basis; for example, we meet with the EU troika every six months, and there is an annual EU-India summit. So what we discuss is pretty standard. Note that there is an open dialogue at the troika meetings. The agenda is only indicative, and both parties are free to discuss what they want; e.g., the UN, Iraq, weapons proliferation.

The countries of SAARC often cooperate in international forums; for example, our positions in the recent WTO summit was very close. On issues such as trade in textiles and sugar, we have many common positions, and have often cooperated in presenting these at international meetings.

A: H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi:
The EU troika is coming to Pakistan in February. We have an ad hoc arrangement with the EU. However, we discuss issues of concern with the EU. The European Parliament should have no misgivings with the representational strength of Pakistan’s domestic politics. With the troika, we will discuss politics, economics and commercial matters, as well as how the EU and Pakistan can strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism.

Q: Peter Roell, Minister Councillor, Permanent Representation of Germany to the EU:
Can you give us examples of how to foster closer relations among the SAARC members states?
A: H.E. Mr. Maudud Ali, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the EU:
The SAARC summit in Islamabad addressed specific agenda items of cooperation that would render maximum benefits, including a regional energy system, anti-terrorism, and free trade. In the past, we have seen the effectiveness of Track II methods as well, which have encouraged the promotion of culture and sports in South Asia.
We know that we get the highest number of television viewers for a cricket match between India and Pakistan. These have been taking place everywhere in the world—for instance, Sharja, Dubai and Toronto—except South Asia. There is a tremendous potential for the media to develop exchanges.

A: H.E. Mr. Narayan S. Thapa, Ambassador of Nepal to the EU:
Technical communities covering a large range of areas in the EU and South Asia have long agreed to speak to each other. These are continuing to develop within a system of seven specific communities.

Q: Nawab Khan, journalist, IRNA News Agency:
The free movement of goods and persons is essential to economic development. What plans are there for extending visas to the people of South Asia so they may travel freely within the region?
A: H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi:
Agree that free movement is essential. Measures are being taken in this area, and we have already agreed to an extension of visas to parliamentarians, judges and journalists. We are also very conscious of the need to develop and promote tourism. Of course, this very much depends on extending visas, an idea which is always been pushed vigorously by NGOs.

Q: Mr. Zia Shahid, journalist, Daily News (Islamabad):
Can you clarify at what level will the forthcoming talks between Pakistan and India be held?
A: H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi:
I know that the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan have already spoken by telephone. However, what is important are the talks themselves, not at what level they take place.
A: H.E. Mr. P.K. Singh, Ambassador of India to the EU:
Not sure at what level the forthcoming talks will take place, but agree on their importance.

Q: Mr. John Chalmers, Senior correspondent, Reuters:
H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi stated that the people of Kashmir must not be ignored. Should there be a plebiscite in Kashmir—because [Pakistan President Pervez] Musharraf has said this is not necessary?
A: H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi:
Let us be clear on this. Musharraf did not rule out a plebiscite. What he said was that, as the issue of Kashmir has remained unresolved for 50 years, the leaders of Pakistan and India should show imagination in looking for a solution. For the sake of beginning a dialogue, we should use our imagination. However, the people of Kashmir must be taken into account, for “any solution that does not satisfy them will be a prolongation” of the conflict. By now, the Indian deputy prime minister has already met with leaders of the Kashmiri movement. This is a remarkable development.

A: H.E. Mr. P.K. Singh:
All persons on the Indian side concerned in Kashmir have met with the Hurriyat. This in itself is a notable development. The Hurriyat leadership “has shown some political courage” in coming to Delhi.

Q: Mr. Dick Gupwell, EIAS Secretary General:
I have always said how useful SAARC is, but many have scoffed at this. Thus, I was struck by the Indian ambassador’s remarks that a groundswell has been building up over the years in favour of regional cooperation. I have noticed this great enthusiasm at numerous conferences over the years. Maybe, that building up of pressure is finally being seen in concrete results. Will increased regional cooperation, especially the agreement to proceed with SAFTA, mean strengthening the SAARC secretariat in Kathmandu?
A: H.E. Mr. Narayan S. Thapa, Ambassador of Nepal to the EU:
At present, the SAARC secretariat has a secretary general (rotated between the seven member states). My personal feeling is that the SAARC secretariat should be strengthened. However, note that there are many cells in the foreign ministries of the member states that already look after SAARC. But manpower has to be increased to ensure the enforcement of SAARC decisions.

A: H.E. Mr. Maudud Ali:
SAARC has been “just limping along” on a very limited payroll and budget. The secretariat will need strengthening.

Q: Dr. Apurba Kundu, EAIS Senior Research Fellow:
At the risk of “raining on the parade”, the success of the SAARC summit in Islamabad was very much due to the personal relationship forged between Musharraf, who has escaped two recent assassination attempts, and Vajpayee, a man of advanced years. Will the re-invigorated SAARC survive after Musharraf and Vajpayee have departed the scene?
A: H.E. Mr. Tariq Fatemi:
Support for SAARC is strong. I am very confident that the agreements reached at the SAARC summit in Islamabad are supported by all political parties in Pakistan.

A: H.E. Mr. P.K. Singh:
Personal diplomacy and the personal chemistry of leaders have become a very important part of diplomacy today. It is not a cliché to say that the SAARC summit in Islamabad was a defining moment. There is a personal chemistry between Musharraf and Vajpayee which comes but rarely. There was a similar personal chemistry between Benazir Bhutto and Rajiv Gandhi, but the moment was lost. So I am a little wary of the current euphoria, as it is much the same as existed in between Benazir and Rajiv There is one important difference between then and today.

The big difference is that they [the political leaders] were trying to carry public opinion, today they are being carried by public opinion. Not just intelligentsia or press that wants relations in South Asia to improve, today the move is motivated from below.

* Questions and Answers paraphrased by Dr Apurba Kundu.

Next Page: Photographs of the Briefing