South Asian leaders discuss food security
Updated
South Asian foreign ministers have discussed details of a plan to fight hunger in the region, including building a common food grains reserve.
The ministers are meeting in Colombo to set the stage for a weekend summit of South Asian leaders where their recommendations on food and energy security and terrorism will be adopted.
The proposals include building a food bank and regional buffer stocks that member countries can use in times of need.
Sri Lanka's foreign minister, Rohitha Bogollagama, says the summit will adopt a Colombo Statement on food security that will unveil several short and long term measures to tackle increasing prices.
The leaders of the eight-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation are also expected to take steps to invigorate the South Asian Free Trade Area agreement signed in 2004.
