'SAARC only viable body to promote people's welfare in SAsia'

SAARC is the only viable regional grouping that can promote welfare of the people of South Asia through enhanced economic cooperation, Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has said.
He extended Nepal's unwavering commitment to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) process after newly appointed SAARC Secretary General Arjun Bahadur Thapa called on him yesterday.
"SAARC is the only viable regional institution in the South Asia region that can promote the welfare of the people of South Asia through enhanced economic cooperation," Koirala said.
Thapa said under the leadership of Prime Minister Koirala, Nepal will prosper and the SAARC Secretariat will receive the needed cooperation.

He appraised Koirala about the recent developments in the SAARC, including the decisions taken during the recently concluded Inter-Summit Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers, according to a press release issued by SAARC secretariat in Kathmandu.
Thapa, Nepal's former Foreign Secretary, also made a particular reference to the Comprehensive Study prepared by the Secretariat for strengthening SAARC's mechanisms, including the SAARC Secretariat and Regional Centres.

"Prime Minister Koirala expressed Nepal's full support in strengthening of the SAARC Secretariat," the release said.
Citing the comprehensive study undertaken by the SAARC Secretariat, Koirala "expressed his happiness that preparatory works have already begun in this connection".

Koirala and Thapa also discussed matters pertaining to 18th SAARC Summit to be hosted by Nepal in November 2014.
The venue and date for the summit was announced by the delegation of Nepal during the recently concluded Inter-Summit Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers.