Let's put head together to alleviate poverty : PM Koirala

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the countries of the South Asia region should put their head together to alleviate poverty stating that it was the very important issue to give out the thoughts about.

Addressing to the 14th summit of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Indian capital New Delhi on Tuesday, Koirala opined that the difficult problems would arise if the consideration was not focused towards poverty alleviation.

“The gap between haves and haves not is widening every year, if that can not be narrowed down, difficult problem will arise”-PM Koirala added “It would be better that we should put our head together to reduce poverty”

Stating that South Asian nations have potential resources, PM Koirala said the thoughts should be given to exploit these resources. “If we can exploit and use the resources properly, poverty will be reduced” he said.

PM Koirala also welcomed Afghanistan as full fledged member of the SAARC. During his speech, Koirala also shortly briefed the political situation of Nepal and ongoing peace process.

The summit was inaugurated at the Vigyan Bhawan Convention Centre in New Delhi. The New Delhi Summit aims to boost trade and transit in the region that accounts for a fifth of the world’s population. The SAARC was formed in 1985 with the objective of promoting regional interest.

The summit this morning passed the policy finalised by the foreign minister level meeting of the SAARC.The summit also elected head of the state of the host country, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to the post of new chairman of SAARC.

Afghanistan has joined the SAARC as a full member from this summit. Japan, China and the US are participating as observers in the summit.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is leading the Nepali delegation to the 14th summit accompanied by Foreign Minister Ms Sahana Pradhan, Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala, MP, the PM's daughter Sujata Koirala, PM's Foreign Affairs advisor Dr Suresh Chalise and high level officials of the foreign ministry.