Jan 29, Colombo: The Energy Ministers of the South Asian nations in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) met this morning at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo to discuss the current issues in the energy sector that affect the entire region.

Foreign Affairs Ministry of Sri Lanka said this is the third Meeting of SAARC Energy Ministers and the first one held in Colombo in SAARC history.

The first meeting of SAARC Energy Ministers was held in Pakistan in 2005 and the 2nd meeting in India in 2007.

Today's meeting was chaired by the Sri Lanka Power and Energy minister W.J.M Senaviratne.

Accordingly senior officials and ministers from SAARC countries are to discuss several key issues in the energy sector following the directives set by SAARC leaders at the 15th Summit.

Among the issues which discussed are a regional energy trade study, an action plan on energy conservation and energy efficiency, concept of a South Asian energy ring, common template on technical and commercial aspects of the electricity grid interconnections amongst the SAARC Member States and a Concept Paper on joint import of crude oil.

The SAARC energy ministers' meeting is scheduled to conclude tomorrow.