His Excellency Askhat Orazbay,

ECO Secretary General.

Your Excellency,

            Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has grown over the years into a sizeable body with the important objectives to foster the economic development and security of its member states. Afghanistan is proud to be a part of ECO and I am personally delighted to be viewing out support as part of the anniversary celebration of this Organization.

            Realizing the objectives of ECO is vital to attaining long term stability of the region. The ten member states over a vast area of over 7.9 million square kilometers with a population of about 370 million. As seven of these ten states are landlocked the development of transport infrastructure and communication systems is essential in linking the member states with each other, and with the rest of the world. With this purpose in mind, we in Afghanistan have prioritized the rebuilding of our roads. Upon completion of our ring road, all major Central Asian cities and capitals will be less than 32 hours from the open sea. As the historic crossroad of Asia, Afghanistan will once again facilitate both trade with the rest of the world and the resource mobilization and utilization of various ECO member states.

            Enhancing trade and fostering economic growth in the region requires a coordinated effort by all member states. It requires a commitment to enact laws and policies that advocate simplified economic and trade activity in the region. We in Afghanistan have taken steps to simplify our customs, trade, and investment policies in order to promote a dynamic routine of trade in the region. We are committed to further facilitating economic growth in the region.

            In addition, fighting terrorism and the evils of narcotics production and trafficking is critical to realizing the broader objectives of ECO. Afghanistan is at the forefront of the war against terrorism and the fight against drugs and we are committed to continuing this struggle. However, achieving victory in this struggle requires broad and coordinated effort not only by all ECO member states, but also by the rest of the world.

            Afghanistan is fully committed to cooperating with the other member states of ECO. Afghanistan will remain an active member of the ECO and will strive to promote stability and balanced economic growth and to accelerate trade in the region. I look forward to continuing discussions with any ECO member state counterparts on ways in which we can all work together for a more stable and prosperous region.