H. E. Mr. Ahmed Saleem, Secretary-General of SAARC, addressed the Inaugural Session of the Fifth Meeting of SAARC Home or Interior Ministers in Maldives today. The Meeting brought together the Ministers and high-level delegations from SAARC Member States to discuss issues pertaining to security in the region.

Addressing the Inaugural Session, the Secretary-General briefed the visiting Ministers on the important initiatives undertaken by SAARC in strengthening cooperation among Member States to address security issues facing the region. Referring to the directive of the Seventeenth SAARC Summit held in Addu City of Maldives in November 2011, he said, “Most recently, at the Seventeenth SAARC Summit held in Addu City, the SAARC Leaders declared to root out terrorism, taking into account its linkages with illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms and to make coordinated and concerted efforts to combat terrorism. At the same Summit, the Leaders also called for an early conclusion of the proposed UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and completion of the ratification of the SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. Given the important directives of the Seventeenth Summit, this Ministerial Meeting is, therefore, timely and important, as it is expected to agree on measures to realize the Summit directives.”

Inaugurated by H. E. Mr. Mohamed Waheed Deen, Vice President of the Republic of Maldives, the Fifth Meeting of SAARC Interior or Home Ministers was preceded by the Fifth Meeting of SAARC Home or Interior Secretaries on 25 September and by the Fifth Meeting of SAARC Immigration Authorities on 24 September 2012.