Kathmandu, December 6

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has extended his greetings and best wishes to citizens and member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation on the occasion of  the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of SAARC and 33rd SAARC Charter Day (December 8).

“SAARC Charter is an expression of our collective will, common resolve and mutual pursuit to promote peace and stability, accelerate economic growth as well as advance socio-cultural development in South Asia. Over the years, much investment has been made in terms of time, resources and efforts to fulfil the Charter’s objectives. In view of our shared development needs, common challenges and multiple transnational threats, we need to redouble our collective efforts and resolve today much more than in the past,” he said in a message.

He also said that there existed huge untapped potentials and immense complementarities in the region for progress and prosperity. “Our collective determination must, therefore, focus on result-oriented programmes, projects and activities that will make positive impact on the welfare and quality of life of our people. It is important that all member states display much needed political will to advance the momentum of the SAARC process,” he added.

Prime Minister Deuba said Nepal remained committed to the SAARC Charter as the current chair and founding member of the regional body. “Regional cooperation constitutes a core dimension of Nepal’s foreign policy. We continue to play a constructive role in, provide full support to and work together with fellow members for making SAARC a relevant and vibrant organisation for the people of South Asia,” he said in the message.

Meanwhile, SAARC Secretary General Amjad Hussain B Sial, in a message, has extended his best wishes to the people and governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on this occasion.

“As enshrined in its charter, the forum of eight countries in South Asia that are bound by ties of shared history and culture, SAARC is a tangible manifestation of the determination of its member states to promote peace, stability, amity and progress in the region through strict adherence to the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, national independence, non-use of force and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and peaceful settlement of disputes,” he said.

He also said he was confident that the member states would redouble their concerted efforts in the attainment of SAARC’s objectives.