Arrangements have been finalized to hold the 15th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Sri Lanka from July 27 to Aug. 3, the island 's official newspaper Daily News reported Tuesday.
The heads of states and governments of SAARC countries have confirmed their participation in the summit, the newspaper quoted Foreign Ministry officials as saying.
With the theme of "Towards a South Asian Union," the summit will be held under the slogan "Growing Together."
The 15th summit will focus on soaring oil prices, food crisis, economic growth, social development and the problem of terrorism in South Asia.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hand over the SAARC chair to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse during the summit. India hosted the 14th SAARC summit in 2007.
Foreign ministry officials representing the member states of SAARC countries are scheduled to hold discussions in Colombo on July 27 and 28. The foreign ministry secretaries of the member states will meet on July 29 and July 30.
The Council of the Foreign Ministers will be held from July 31 to Aug. 1. The summit will be held with the participation of heads of states from SAARC countries on Aug. 2 and 3, the newspaper said.
Around 1,000 delegates from SAARC countries, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and hundreds of journalists are expected to participate in the summit.
Source: Xinhua
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