The Secretary General of SAARC, Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, Foreign Minister of Nepal, on 09 March 2017 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

The Foreign Minister felicitated the Secretary General on his appointment as the thirteenth Secretary General of SAARC. The Secretary General thanked the Government of Nepal for its support in his appointment and a warm welcome extended to him since his arrival at Kathmandu.

 

The Secretary General expressed the hope that he would continue to receive the valuable support of the Government of Nepal in the accomplishment of his important assignment. The Secretary General stated that SAARC can provide an important platform for achieving the objectives of socio-economic development of the region and amelioration of the people, as enshrined in the SAARC Charter. He stressed the need for improving intra-regional connectivity and early implementation of approved activities, especially the Ministerial events. He also sought support of the Government of Nepal, as chair, for strengthening the SAARC process.

 

The Foreign Minister conveyed his good wishes for success of Mr. Sial as Secretary General of SAARC and expressed the hope that his vast diplomatic experience, his previous experience of SAARC serving as the then Director (Pakistan), and expertise in the bilateral and multilateral fora will bring a new spirit in the SAARC Secretariat and will contribute in strengthening the SAARC process. He expressed the hope for the early convening of the 19th SAARC Summit. The Minister assured his full support for the Secretariat in all its endeavours for regional cooperation and expressed his solidarity and commitment for SAARC process.

09 March 2017.