Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Amjad Hussain B. Sial paid a courtesy call on President Abdulla Yameen on Monday.

A ceremony was held at the President’s Office, on Monday morning, where the President congratulated the Pakistani on his appointment to the post.

The President’s Office informed that President Yameen had expressed hope that the ‘upward momentum in SAARC would be gained and maintained’ under Sial’s leadership, and highlighted the importance of reviewing economic cooperation within SAARC.

“He further highlighted on the viable opportunities through SAARC to enhance regional cooperation and integration in areas of mutual interest”, said the President’s Office.

President Yameen said that in order to achieve the objectives and principles of the SAARC charter “the Association needs to gravitate towards a more forward-looking approach”, adding that he hoped that ‘necessary measures will be taken by member states to come to an amicable agreement with regard to the SAARC process”.

At the call, SG Sial thanked the President for the support and cooperation extended by the Maldivian government “for the progress of the people of South Asia through SAARC and its various mechanisms”.

Foreign Minister Dr. Mohamed Asim and Minister of State for Foreign Relations at the President’s Office, Mohamed Naseer had accompanied the President at the call.

More meetings

The secretary general also called on Foreign Minister Asim on Monday.

Congratulating him on the appointment, the Minister expressed hope to ‘see a more active role on SAARC in strengthening the regional cooperation” under Sial’s leadership.

Reiterating support and cooperation “to engage constructively”, Minister Asim offered the government’s full support and cooperation “for the progress of the people of South Asia, through SAARC and its various mechanisms”.

In addition, SG Sial also met with foreign secretary Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed on Monday morning, where Naseer acknowledged the “forward momentum built in SAARC”, adding that he hoped it is upheld.

He further called to strengthen SAARC Secretariat “to ensure the cooperation is more result and output oriented”.

Naseer also held a luncheon in honour of the SAARC secretary-general on Monday.

Secretary-general Sial assumed office on March 1, a day after Nepal's Arjun Bahadur Thapa's term ended.