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| Major Events Vol. 3 Issue No. 27 | May 16-31, 2007 |
Rio calls for a common vision for NE States There should be a long-term common minimum programme among the north-eastern States for sustainable peace, development and democracy in the region, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said. “The aspirations of the people of the region will acquire a new clout only when we can speak in one voice, which can be heard promptly and know how to leverage our economic and strategic importance,” Rio said while inaugurating the 10th North-Eastern Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. The three-day conference, attended by Speakers, Deputy Speakers and legislators of eight NEC member states, made development of roads and communication, opening of border trade and commerce as main theme of the deliberation. Highlighting the possible economic benefits occurred to the region from the Centre’s ‘Look East’ policy, the Chief Minister suggested to pass a resolution for strengthening of the existing border trade points with Maynamar and Bangladesh by developing necessary infrastructure.He called upon the lawmakers to give more thrust to NERCPA “so that this unique regional forum becomes a catalyst for change”. Despite having mechanism like North Eastern Council (NEC) to look after the development aspects in the region, an institution like NERCPA “may put, what is called, parliamentary diplomacy to its best use” to solve crucial issues which plagued the states of the region, Rio said.In this context he called upon parliamentarians to actively co-operate with each other in resolving the inter-State disputes. “We should not forget that we have our common culture, history and identity and also centuries of history of co-existence,” Rio said. |
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