Islamabad, Jan 06: The 12th SAARC summit concluded here today adopting the 'Islamabad Declaration' and landmark agreements committing the member nations to elimination of terrorism in all forms and manifestation and providing for free trade in the region. The documents were signed by the foreign ministers in the presence of their heads of state and government, including Prime Minsiter Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the concluding session of the 3-day summit of the seven SAARC nations -- India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and Bhutan.
The Islamabad Declaration contains the road map for South Asian cooperation and has a historic significance, Pakistan Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali, said adding that Pakistan would do its utmost to implement the declaration collectively and individually.
The additional protocol on the review of the SAARC convention on suppression of terrorism 1987, which pledges itself to elimination of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations in the region, was described by Jamali as "another landmark" agreement.

Terming the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement as a "watershed" accord that would reinvigorate regional cooperation, Jamali said SAARC had made good progress and South Asian Preferential Trade Agreements would benefit the people of the region immensely.
Vajpayee, Jamali, Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Nepales Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonop Jigme Y Thinley later posed for photographs clasping their hands in unison.
Thanking the heads of state and government for their cooperation in reaching the agreements, Jamali said SAARC symbolised the aspirations of the people of the region for progress and for a better future.
He said SAARC should also play a role in greater mutual understanding and good neighbourly relations and meaningful cooperation for peace and stability which were essential requirements for facing multifarious social challenges.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who will takeover the as chairperson of the grouping next year, thanked members for their decision to hold the next summit in Dhaka in January 2005 and hoped the agreements reached would lead to greater cooperation in the region.
Maldivian Foreign Minister Fathulla Jameel represented is country at the concluding ceremony.