Nepal ready for hosting SAARC summit: Koirala

January 30, 2001
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Kathmandu, Jan. 30 : Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has hoped an understanding for peace and cordiality will be reached between India and Pakistan paving the way for the SAARC summit conference.

Prime Minister Koirala expressed these views in an interview given to Dr. A. Swami, special correspondent of Punjab Keshari daily published from New Delhi here today.

Nepal is ready for hosting the SAARC summit conference, Mr Koirala said, adding that the summit conference had been delayed because of the relations between India and Pakistan.

There is no disagreement in connection with hosting of the SAARC summit conference, Mr Koirala said, adding that the meeting of the SAARC technical committee has already been held and the SAARC foreign ministers meeting will be held soon.

Prime Minister Koirala hoped that an understanding will be reached between India and Pakistan paving the way for the SAARC summit conference.

Stating that the understanding and agreement reached between Nepal and India during his visit to India were being implemented, Mr Koirala said that an understanding had been reached to resolve the problems of inundation caused by dams and floods along the border.

Mr Koirala informed that foreign ministers level talks will be held to pave the way for the review of the 1950 treaty.

There is no issue between Nepal and India which cannot be resolved through mutual discussions, Mr Koirala said.

In reply to a question relating to the future of democracy in South Asian countries, Mr Koirala said democracy is a system which has no end to its future.

Stating that democracy has been unstable in a few South Asian countries, he said that political stability cannot be attained in the absence of democracy. The citizens of all the countries should be in a position to exercise democratic norms and values, he added.

Referring to the dissatisfaction caused by poverty and unemployment in some areas, Mr Koirala stressed the need for the countries of South Asia to launch joint programmes for alleviation of poverty and unemployment in the region.

The present government has given top priority to peace and security, good governance and control of corruption, Mr Koirala said, adding that the present government has the policy of moving ahead by maintaining an understanding with the opposition parties in matters relating to development programmes.