Secretary General of SAARC calls on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal

H.E. Mr. Amjad Hussian B. Sial, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) called on Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, H.E Krishna Bahadur Mahara who is also Chair of the SAARC Council of Ministers, on 30 June 2017 at his office in Singa Durbar.

DPM/FM expressed confidence that Secretary General’s vast experience and tested leadership would bring new dynamism to the SAARC process during his tenure. He assured the Secretary General of full cooperation of Government of Nepal in fulfilling his responsibilities. DPM reiterated Nepal’s commitment to the SAARC process and said that the Nineteenth SAARC Summit should take place at the earliest.

The Secretary General expressed his commitment to do his utmost to serve to the best of his capability for achievement of the purposes and objectives of SAARC Charter and hoped for continued support and guidance from the Chair of the SAARC Council of Ministers. He assured the DPM/FM of the efficient and effective services of the Secretariat to the Member States and enhanced visibility of SAARC. SG also briefed DPM/FM about the upcoming Ministerial Meetings of SAARC. He commended the role of Nepal in supporting the SAARC process as the Chair of SAARC, its founding member and host of the Secretariat.

H.E. Mr. Amjad Hussian B. Sial, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) called on Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of Nepal, H.E Sher Bahadur Deuba on 19 June 2017 at his office in Singa Durbar.

The Secretary General congratulated the Prime Minister on assuming the high office. While appreciating the role played by Nepal as the founder member of SAARC, host of the Secretariat and the current Chair in the SAARC process, Secretary General expressed hope for continued support from Government of Nepal in promoting the ideals of SAARC. He informed the Prime Minister about the measure being taken to strengthen the SAARC process.

Congratulating the Secretary General on his new assignment, the Prime Minister expressed hope that given his experiences in SAARC, the Secretary General will be able to perform his responsibilities well for the benefit of the region and will be a successful Secretary Geneal. The Prime Minister also expressed the hope that the Nineteenth SAARC Summit will be held soon in Pakistan.

Kathmandu, 19 June 2017.

Following message of condolence has been sent today to H. E. Mr. Hekmat Khalil Karzai, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, by H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of SAARC, on the recent terrorist attack in Kabul:

Quote:

Excellency,

            We are deeply saddened to learn about the terrorist attack in Kabul on the 31 May 2017. We strongly condemn this gruesome act of terrorism.

On behalf of the SAARC Secretariat and on my own behalf, I wish to express our deepest condolences to the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the loss of more than 80 innocent civilians and over 460 injured.

We express our sincere sympathies to the members of the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of those injured in this heinous terrorist act.

            The scourge of terrorism remains the main obstacle for the prosperity and development of the SAARC region. Combating it requires sincere, genuine and concerted efforts.  As the people of Afghanistan mourn this tragic incident, our thoughts and prayers are with the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in this hour of grief.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Unquote:

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Kathmandu, 01 June 2017.

The Secretary General of SAARC, H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, is on an introductory visit to Sri Lanka from 29 to 31 May 2017.

During the visit, the Secretary General paid courtesy calls on H. E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka; and Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and held a meeting with H. E. Mr. Esala Weerakoon, Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka.

In his meetings with the dignitaries in Sri Lanka, Mr. Sial thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for its valuable support to his appointment as the Secretary General of SAARC. He conveyed sincere condolences on the loss of precious lives and expressed sympathies to those who were injured and became homeless, and on colossal loss caused to the property by recent torrential rain and landslides in Sri Lanka.

During his call on the President, the Secretary General apprised the President on the present state of affairs of SAARC and measures being taken to strengthen the SAARC process. The President shared his vision on how to reinvigorate SAARC and how it can serve one fifth of humanity in the region. He also reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to SAARC and said that the Ninteenth SAARC Summit may be held soon with substantive outcomes.

After a briefing by the Secretary General, the Foreign Minister said that SAARC should become more action-oriented, effectively implement its decisions, and emphasized the need for more intra-regional trade. He particularly underscored the need for economic integration and connectivity in the region.

The Foreign Secretary and the Secretary General exchanged views on all aspects of SAARC and agreed on a number of measures that should be taken to bolster the SAARC process as well as to make the SAARC Secretariat an effective and efficient institution that should be responsive to the Member States of SAARC. The Foreign Secretary and the Secretary General were of the opinion that in order to create conducive environment for early convening of the Nineteenth SAARC Summit, sectoral Ministerial meetings may be held.

The Secretary General thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for its wholehearted support to SAARC and hosting the SAARC Cultural Centre and for building new premises for the Centre. He also thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for its offer to host two Ministerial-level meetings in July 2017.
During the visit, the Secretary General, inter alia, will have a meeting with the Secretary General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and visit the SAARC Cultural Centre.
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Kathmandu, 30 May 2017.