H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai, the honourable President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
H.E. Mr. Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour for me to participate in the International Conference on Afghanistan and to join the international community in their solidarity with the Afghan people in endeavors to reconstruct Afghanistan and to bring lasting peace to this brave nation and consolidate efforts with the Afghan people for the attainment of common objectives of peace, stability and sustained socio-economic development.
Excellencies,
This Conference holds a special significance. The Afghan Government would be presenting an Afghan National Development Strategy- a comprehensive document addressing the key strategic objectives and priorities in such areas as security, development and regional cooperation etc. As such it is a defining moment for this country and crucial for the regional organizations to which Afghanistan belongs.
ECO perceives regional economic cooperation as an efficient way of contributing to the sustainable socioeconomic development and uplift of the people within its region. We are determined to build long term collaborations in such areas as trade, investment, transport & communications, agriculture, energy, environment, human resource development and drugs control etc to fully capitalize on the geo-political and geo-economic significance of our region. We have taken a number of steps towards that end.
Distinguished Delegates
Given the unlimited regional potential in trade and investment, these two sectors top the agenda of the ECO. The ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) has established necessary basis for a more open, freer and fairer trade, setting in motion a process leading to regional integration and the integration of the region with the multi lateral trading system at global level. Today we feel proud to witness the implementation process of ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA). Pakistan and Turkey would soon grant ECOTA tariff concessions on eighty (80) percent of their tradable goods.
Excellencies
Afghanistan is signatory to all important ECO agreements signed to foster cooperation in trade, investment, visa facilitation and countering customs offences. We have received positive indications from Afghan authorities on joining ECO Trade and Development Bank and the ECO Reinsurance Company. Our current year agenda for Afghanistan includes, Integrated Market Promotion Plan, Assistance in WTO accession process, Study on Investment Prospects, trainings in trade, customs and taxation, participation in Fairs/exhibitions, expanding activities of private sector and women entrepreneurship development.
Mr. Chairman
We at the ECO are making every effort to assist Afghanistan in reviving its historical role as the heart of several important transit corridors. There are a number of priority road and railway construction projects that need to be implemented with the assistance of the international bodies, funding institutions and donors in Afghanistan. ECO’s ambitious proposal for railway connection between Herat in Afghanistan and Kashghar in China through Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is on top of our agenda for realization of which we need assistance of all regional and international organizations. WE would soon launch Silk Road Truck Caravan in close cooperation with the International Road Transport Union (IRU). The project would prove the potentials of Afghanistan as a land bridge between East and the West.
Excellencies
In the areas of Agriculture, Afghanistan is given special attention in ECO’s programmes and activities. We have developed the ECO Regional Programme for Food Security (ECO-RPFS) in collaboration with FAO. The ECO-RPFS comprises 9 regional components and one specific programme on Community Based Food Production in Afghanistan, with the objective of complementing national initiatives and strengthening regional economic integration. ECO also has new proposals to introduce high yielding plant and animal varieties in Afghanistan. To that end, ECO will work closely with IDB, TIKA and FAO.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Issues like terrorism, human trafficking, money laundering, drugs smuggling are constant threat to peace, stability and development in any part of the world. The complexity of these challenges rightfully calls for developing partnership beyond the national boundaries to effectively counter their negative fallout. As a part of Organization’s activities related to campaign against drugs, terrorism and Organized Crime in the ECO region, we have taken certain initiatives. The ECO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Commission on Implementation of EC-financed project under the Instrument For Stability on “Fight Against Illicit Drug Trafficking from/to Afghanistan” with ECO Member States. This project is mostly related to Afghanistan. According to this MOU, the EC will provide a total contribution of 9.5 Million Euros to finance technical assistance, training activities, seminars and equipments for the ECO Member States.
Excellencies
ECO has established an ECO Special Fund for Reconstruction of Afghanistan. Currently, a few projects are being implemented. The ECO Secretariat welcomes any assistance, contribution or initiatives by international donors to Afghanistan within the framework of the ECO Special Fund.
Excellencies
Development of strong linkages with other regional and international organizations, and relevant non-ECO countries is an important component of ECO’s strategy to achieve its goals and objectives. In collaboration with our partners, we are pursuing an active agenda of activities in various sectors of cooperation. We look forward to further strengthening our relations in a spirit of mutual benefit in Afghanistan and in the region. Yesterday at the meeting f the Regional Bodies, we have agreed to establish a Core Group comprising the Heads of the relevant Regional/International organization to better coordinate Afghanistan-0related programmes and projects.
Excellencies
There is no denying the myriad of challenges before us in Afghanistan. These challenges remind us of the special efforts which need to be put in Afghanistan. The task is, indeed, mammoth in its scale. It calls for greater cooperation and enhanced collaboration at all levels. I firmly believe that regional cooperation is an effective way to address common challenges, pool resources for the common benefit and create win-win situation in the region. Now is the time to band together to take practical steps to contribute to the development in Afghanistan and to bring this beautiful country out of the shadows of the past. Together we have an opportunity to think of a way forward. ECO would welcome specialized regional and international organizations for working together in the vast areas of trade, transport, energy, agriculture and drugs control etc. Our collaboration with international and regional organization would help us develop desired synergies to support Afghanistan’s efforts towards reconstruction and development. This Conference holds the promise of better future for the Afghan people. In partnership we can better serve Afghanistan and the region.
I wish to conclude by expressing my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the initiative taken towards establishing a Centre which will coordinate and harmonize the Afghan component of the various regional organizations and institutions involved in Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development and the Government of Afghanistan for holding this important Conference.
Thank you.
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