COLOMBO, July 30: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said here on Wednesday that Pakistan wanted the 15th Saarc summit to contribute to the strengthening of the organisation, besides promoting peace, development and prosperity in South Asia.

The foreign minister arrived here on Wednesday to participate in the meeting of the Saarc Council of Ministers, ahead of a summit to be held here from August 2 to 3.

The council will review progress on implementation of decisions taken by the 14th Saarc summit held in New Delhi in April 2007, and discuss issues of common interest including food security, energy cooperation, environment and climate change.

The foreign minister said in a statement that Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, who will lead Pakistan’s delegation at the summit, was keen to see a fruitful conclusion of the summit.

He said that the prime minister would hold talks with other Saarc leaders on matters of mutual interest on the sidelines of the summit.—APP