KATHMANDU, Nepal: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday stressed increased level of connectivity among the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Member States for a prosperous region.
In a speech during his visit to the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu to plant a tree, the prime minister emphasized that SAARC needed to work towards achieving economic, cultural and social growth of the region.
The prime minister said SAARC had immense potential for strengthening the economies of the member Countries and to promote collaboration in various areas of mutual significance.
Khaqan Abbasi said Pakistan attached great importance to SAARC and remained committed to its principles and objectives of its Charter. He said Pakistan had always strived to make SAARC a vibrant vehicle for regional cooperation based on the principle of sovereign equality.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said at all meetings of the SAARC, Pakistan had advanced its belief that a secure and peaceful environment in South Asia was crucial for the advancement of region’s development and prosperity.
The prime minister said as the Host of next SAARC Summit, Pakistan looked forward to convening the Summit at an early date, and assured that the Country would play a positive role in further strengthening regional cooperation.
The Secretary General SAARC Amjad Hussain B. Sial said Pakistan was playing important role in SAARC and had previously hosted two summits. He said holding of SAARC Summits meant renewing impetus amongst the member states and therefore was significant.
Later, the prime minister planted a sapling of Pine at the premises of the SAARC Secretariat. He also penned his remarks in the visitors book and had a group photograph with the directors at the SAARC Secretariat.
