DHAKA: Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali conferred a message regarding the 29th SAARC Charter Day celebrated at the SAARC Secretariat premises in Kathmandu on Sunday.

The signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka in 1985 heralded a historic beginning in regional cooperation in South Asia. The day certainly holds special significance, as SAARC celebrates its 28th year of existence in December 8, 2013.

In the statement, the minister said, On behalf of the people and government of Bangladesh on my own behalf. I would like to extend warm greetings and wishes to the people of South Asia on the occasion of SAARC Charter Day.

For nearly three decades, the SAARC Charter has been guiding force in our in our collective endeavors to bring in qualitative changes in the lives of our peoples, he added.

Mahmood Ali also said, “The SAARC has crossed significant milestones in forging closer cooperation in attaining the objectives of the Charter. While, we are proud of our achievements, we need to be mindful of the challenges that lie ahead in building a better future for south Asia. Bangladesh remains deeply committed to the principles and objectives of the Charter in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation for the benefit of the 1.8 billion peoples of the region.”     

The Foreign minister also asserted: “On this auspicious occasion, I reiterate Bangladesh’s unwavering support and commitment to the promotion of regional cooperation in South Asia and the firm resolve to continue to chart a meaningful and pragmatic agenda for SAARC to achieve the goals of peace, stability and socio-economic progress in this region.”

BDST: 1630 HRS, DEC 08, 2013