Heads of state and government of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations stand at attention during the closing session of the 12th SAARC summit at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad Jan. 6. (Xinhua Photo)

    ISLAMABAD, Jan. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- The leaders of seven South Asian countries here on Tuesday wrapped up their 12th summit after signing the Islamabad Declaration, pledging toenhance regional cooperation as well as collective efforts to fight against poverty and terrorism.

    Addressing the closing session for the three-day summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said the meeting was "successful" in reinvigorating the 18-year-old regional forum.

    The Islamabad Declaration encompassed regional cooperation in the economic and commercial affairs, poverty alleviation, science and technology, social development, cultural interaction, environment, fight against terrorism, enhanced links in the areas of information and communications and peace and stability in South Asia.

    On behalf of their respective head of state and government, the foreign ministers of the SAARC members inked the SAARC Social Charter, the Additional Protocol to the 1987 SAARC Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and the Framework Agreement on South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA), the Poverty Alleviation Plan of Action along with other documents aimed at promoting the socio-economic development of member nations.

    During the meeting, Pakistan assumed the Chairmanship of SAARC from Nepal. The South Asian regional bloc groups Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

    The 13th SAARC Summit will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in January 2005. Enditem