Saarc energy accord signed

The foreign ministers of Saarc member states have signed the Saarc Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation (Electricity).

The agreement will enable greater co-operation in the power sector among South Asian countries. It is expected to improve power availability in the entire Saarc region and would facilitate integrated operation of the regional power grid.

The next South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation summit will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and incumbent chair of the regional bloc announced here.

The two-day summit concludes Thursday after the Kathmandu Declaration is read out by Koirala.

"We have successfully held the summit," Koirala said during his speech at the closing ceremony.