Tehran Communiqué

          The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Mr. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Mr. Turgut Ozal; Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif; President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Ayaz Motlibov; President of the Republic of Turkmenistan, H.E. Mr. Saparmurat Niazov Atayovich; Chairman of the High Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Yuldashov Shokat Mohyedinouvich; Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, H.E. Mr. Erkibayev; Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Mr. Lakim Qayumov attended the First ECO Summit Meeting in Tehran on 16-17 February 1992 (corresponding to 27-28 Bahman 1370) and exchanged their views in an atmosphere full of the spirit of brotherhood and friendship. Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Bayknev also attended the meeting by special invitation.

          Heads of Member States and Governments recalling the political and economic developments in the world and especially in the region, which are the result of the collapse of communism, emphasized the realization of ECO economic and infra-structural goals with due regard to the ever-increasing role of the economy in world policy making. They expressed the hope that the ECO member countries could take substantial steps aimed at strengthening of this Organization.

          The Heads of ECO Member States and Governments expressed pleasure at the admission of the Governments of the Republics of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan as the new members of ECO.

          The leaders welcomed the recommendation of the Council of Deputies to allow the Turkish Muslim Community in Cyprus to participate in the economic, cultural and technical activities of ECO, without prejudice to the respective positions of the Member States and the ongoing efforts for a final settlement of the question of Cyprus in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council’s Resolutions.

          The modalities of their participation will be worked out by the ECO Secretariat with the help of Experts of the three founding Member States.

          The Heads of States/Governments agreed that peace and security in the region is a pre-requisite for economic development. Taking note of the deteriorating situation in Jammu and Kashmir, they stressed the need for respect of the human rights of the Kashmiri people and for settling the issue expeditiously in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir, which are yet to be ascertained under long-standing commitments.

          They called for the return of peace in Afghanistan and offered full support for the efforts for an early political settlement acceptable to the Afghan people.

          They called for an equitable and durable settlement of the Palestine question based on the restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

          The Heads of States and Governments agreed that, following the successful enforcement of the Protocol on Preferential Tariffs, efforts should continue towards the ultimate elimination of all tariff and non-tariff barriers together with all subsidies on exports, at the earliest.

          The Heads of Member States and Governments reviewing ECO’s previous activities and progress made, gave the assurance that the joint efforts of the member countries will provide new possibilities and open new doors to them. To this end, they underlined the importance of the development of cooperation in transport and communications, energy, industrial and agricultural areas and recommended that the Council of Ministers should take necessary executive decisions for its materialization.

          They envisaged in the ECO the creation of a modern and efficient infrastructure linking not only the Member States of the Organisation but also providing them access to other areas of the world. The ECO would thus be in a position to forge stronger economic and commercial ties not only amongst the Member States but also with the outside world, in a spirit of harmony and mutual benefit.

          The participating Heads of States and Governments expressed their gratitude to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani and to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to them during their stay in Tehran.

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