EU-LDC Themes - Regional Focus - Policy
The EU and the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC)
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In April 1981 the Foreign Secretaries of Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka met for
the first time. In 1983 they adopted the declaration on South Asian
Regional Co-operation. In December 1985 the heads of states of the
seven countries adopted the charter that formally established the
South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation (SAARC). The main
purpose of SAARC is the acceleration of the process of economic and
social development in member states through collective action in
agreed areas of co-operation.
General provisions and principles of SAARC include
the following:
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Co-operation in SAARC is based on respect for
the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity,
political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs
of the other states and mutual benefit.
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The co-operation is complementary to and not a
substitute for bilateral or multilateral co-operation. This
co-operation should therefore be consistent with bilateral and
multilateral obligations of Member States.
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Bilateral and controversial issues will not be
included in the discussions/negotiations of the Association.
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All decisions of SAARC will be taken on the
basis of unanimity.
Regarding economic co-operation within SAARC, the
creation of the South Asian Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA)
in 1995 provided about 2000 tariff concessions. In 1997 Member
States of SAARC agreed to establish a South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA)
by 2001. An Intergovernmental Expert Group (IGEG) was set up to
identify the necessary steps towards moving into a free trade area
and has drawn up an action plan to achieve SAFTA. Political tensions
between India and Pakistan make it difficult to reach SAFTA by 2001
however.
The EU-SAARC Relationship
Since 1994 the EU has expressed its interest to
strengthen the links with SAARC. While SAARC is also in favour of
strengthening these links, internal divisions within SAARC have so
far prevented effective co-operation.
In 1996 the EU and SAARC signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU). This MoU focuses on the exchange of
information, institutional support and training and technical
assistance. The offer for technical assistance has not effectively
been taken up however.
In July 2000 the EU has included SAARC in its
Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Cumulative Clause of the
Rules of Origin. This implies that the EU will provide GSP
facilities to products from SAARC countries that are produced with
raw materials from any SAARC country.
For more information got to the the
EU-SAARC relationship page of the EU
External Relations website on Europa.
Further details
For more information go to:
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