New Saarc Secretary General Chenkyab Dorji called on Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri here on Friday and discussed various issues including the question of fresh dates for 13th Saarc Summit. The Secretary General, a member of the cabinet in Bhutan, has assumed the charge of his office recently. Foreign Minister Kasuri felicitated him on the assumption of office while assuring him of Pakistan's full support in the discharge of his duties.
SAARC Secretary General commended Pakistan for hosting a landmark 12th Saarc Summit last year, during which important decisions on regional co-operation, setting up of Safta, Saarc Social Charter, were taken. The Secretary General appreciated Pakistan's contribution as the Chairperson of the Saarc during the year. Chenkyab Dorji felt that Saarc Secretariat should be strengthened and requested support of the member states in that regard.
Foreign Minister Kasuri informed the Secretary General that as Chairperson of Saarc, Pakistan had endeavoured to rejuvenate Saarc and to enhance its profile into a result-oriented organisation.
Progress on the question of outstanding issues to ensure the Safta enters into force on January 1, 2006 as decided at the 12th Saarc Summit. The Saarc Secretary General expressed his thanks to Foreign Minister Kasuri for the warm welcome he received in Pakistan and the hospitality extended to him during his visit to Pakistan.