The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Advisor Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said that Bangladesh is deeply committed to expanding regional cooperation.

He said this when the visiting SAARC Secretary General Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji made a farewell call on him at the Foreign Ministry Sunday morning.

The SAARC Secretary General completed his three years tenure of his office and will be replaced by an Indian diplomat Ambassador Sheel Kant Sharma.

The Foreign Adviser also thanked Dorji for his "exemplary services" to SAARC during his tenure of office.

Secretary General Dorji in turn thanked the Bangladesh government for the "unflinching support" Dhaka has been giving SAARC since its inception.

He added that he has begun his farewell tour from Dhaka as Bangladesh is the birthplace of SAARC.

Speaking to the media later the Foreign Adviser said, "2008 will be a significant year for democracy throughout the SAARC region, with free, fair and credible elections hopefully taking place in most of its member countries, including Bangladesh."

"Indeed 2008 has been named the Year of Good Governance in SAARC, and all of us should ensure that we conform to this ideal", he said.