The Maldives on Friday asked South Asian Association Regional Cooperation member states to create an environment 'conducive' for holding the grouping's summit which has been postponed following a pull-out by five countries, including India.

'The government of Maldives has urged the member states ofthe South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation to create an environment conducive for holding the 19th SAARC summit,' a Maldives foreign ministry statement said.

It said the appeal by the Maldivian government follows the decisions by some of the SAARC member states who have expressed their inability to attend the summit in Islamabad scheduled for November due to terrorism, and threats to regional and international peace.

'The Maldives condemns international terrorism, especially those originating from outside,' the statement said.

SAARC summit can be convened only with the participation of heads of state or governments of all of its member states.

'The Maldives encouraged states to provide a valuable opportunity for the leaders to discuss critical issues facing the region and expressed hope that the required measures will be taken by relevant member states to convene the summit at a nearly date,' the statement said.