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Preparatory discussions for the 33rd session of the SAARC Council of Ministers is underway at Thimpu in Bhutan on Feb 5. The Council of Ministers, which comprises foreign Ministers of the regional body, will meet on 8th and 9th of this month. 
Energy cooperation, food security, combating terrorism and implementation of the agreement on trade in goods are among the issues expected to be high on the agenda of the discussions. 
The foreign ministers of the member states are also expected to discuss the expansion of the list of categories of professions exempt from travel visa requirements in the regional body. 
Utilisation of SAARC Development Fund, Food Bank and formation of South Asian Forum are also likely to be taken up during the discussions. 
The Thimphu meeting is also likely to discuss the proposal to step up cooperation in the fight against terror and form a SAARC Police Force (Saarcpol) on the pattern of Interpol. Our correspondent says that SAARC Foreign Ministers will take stock of the progress of the initiatives taken so far and set the pace for the next summit to be held in Male later this year. 
The five-day meet will start with a meeting of Director General (SAARC) of member countries on Saturday. They will prepare agenda and issues that will be placed before the SAARC Foreign Secretaries who will meet tomorrow and day after.