Kathmandu, Nov 26 (IANS): The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) nations must cast their differences aside to ensure the region's progress, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said here Wednesday.

Addressing the 18th Saarc Summit, she said that Saarc's achievements have been rather modest, but expressed confidence in the regional group's potential to achieve significant results, bdnews24 reported.

"Looking back, one would have the impression that its (Saarc) achievements have been rather modest, compared to our expectations and potentials," Hasina said.

"Yet, I remain optimistic about what Saarc can actually attain, given our collective political will and ambitions," she added.

According to Hasina, a "candid assessment and frank discussions" among the member states are essential for adding dynamism to the Saarc.

Established in 1985 in Bangladesh, the Saarc is a regional association of eight south Asian countries, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan joined the Saarc as its eighth member state in 2007.

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