Secretary General SAARC calls on the Foreign Minister

(2012-05-16)

The new Secretary General of SAARC, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Saleem, called on the Foreign Minister in her office today.

During the Meeting, the Secretary General shared his vision about SAARC with the Foreign Minister and discussed his views about strengthening of SAARC Mechanisms. He also expressed his thoughts on how South Asia could be developed into a global economic hub.

The Foreign Minister congratulated the Secretary General on assumption of this prestigious office on 12 March 2012. She stated that Pakistan attached great importance to regional cooperation. Discussing the 17th SARRC Summit and its outcome, the Foreign minister commended Maldives for the successful hosting of the Summit. She expressed satisfaction on the Secretariat’s effective follow-up of various decisions taken during the meeting and highlighted the steps being taken by Pakistan in pursuing the Summit decisions. She also raised the issue of difficulties in intra-regional travel because of lengthy visa processes and stated that initiation of a SAARC Visa for the nationals of the SAARC member states would not only make travel within the region easy for them but would also increase their ownership of the region. The Secretary General assured the Foreign Minister to give active consideration to this suggestion.

Islamabad
16 May 2012

108/2012