1.  The ECO Secretary General visited New York and Washington from 26 September to 4 October 2004.

 

2.  The ECO Secretary General attended as an observer the 59^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 27-30 September 2004; the informal meeting of the COM; 9^th Joint ECO-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting; and OIC Ministerial Meeting; held bilateral meetings with high-level UN representatives and other officials.

 

3.  On the invitation of the UN Secretariat, the ECO Secretary General also participated as an observer in the fifth Annual Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked Developing Countries, which was chaired by H.E. Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Lao PDR. The Meeting stressed its main attention on the current implementation of Almaty Program of Action for Landlocked Countries and afterwards adopted its Draft Ministerial Communiqué.

 

4.  On the 28 September 2004, the ECO Secretary General attended the OIC Ministerial Meeting held in the UN Secretariat, which was chaired by H.E. Mr. Abdullah Gül, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. Ministers/Representatives of ECO Member States, namely Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan addressed the said Meeting.

 

 

5.  The Informal COM Meeting was held on 28^th of September 2004, in New York at the UN Headquarters. All 10 ECO Sates’ delegations participated in the Meeting, including six on the Ministerial level (Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Pakistan), and four on the level of ambassadors/permanent representatives to UN (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan) (the list of participants is attached – Annex-1).

 

6.  The Meeting was coordinated and hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Tajikistan to UN. The Meeting was conducted without agenda as it was approved on the 14^th COM Meeting in Dushanbe.

 

7.  In the beginning of the Meeting, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Talbak Nazarov in his capacity as the current Chairman of the ECO Council of Ministers welcomed participants of the Meeting and emphasized that 8^th ECO Summit and 14^th COM held in Dushanbe two weeks ago made important decisions related to the further ECO activities.

 

8.  Further the Minister highlighted that despite the fact, that ECO Foreign Ministers have already met two weeks ago, Tajikistan as the new COM Chairman wished to continue the existing tradition and organize this Meeting for conducting free discussion on the matters, which are of interest of ECO.

    

9.  The Chairman gave the floor to ECO Secretary General. ECO Secretary General informed participants about 9^th ECO-ASEAN Joint Ministerial Meeting held the day before. Particularly he emphasized that the Foreign Minister of Malaysia (Co-Chairman of the Meeting from the ASEAN side), taking into account that the next Meeting will be the 10^th jubilee Meeting,  proposed to conduct it on the high organizational level in order to celebrate jubilee date since the beginning of ECO-ASEAN relationship.

 

10. Further, the ECO Secretary General informed that it was agreed with the ASEAN Secretary General to consider signing the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Secretariats of ECO and ASEAN.

 

11. The ECO Secretary General informed about the plans of the Secretariat regarding operationalization of the ECO Special Fund for Reconstruction of Afghanistan. He expressed gratitude to the Foreign Minister of Pakistan for the decision of Pakistani Government to contribute US$ 5 million to this Fund and called for other Foreign Ministers to consider the proposal of voluntary contribution to this Fund.

 

12. Referring to the relevant decisions of the Summit and COM held in Dushanbe in September 2004, the Secretary General informed about advisability of conducting Senior Officials Meetings on the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers, and with this regard asked Ministers to give appropriate commissions.

 

13. The Secretary General also made the range of proposals for the Ministers consideration, particularly on organizing receptions by the ECO Foreign Ministries in their capital cities for celebration of ECO day on 28 November. He also proposed to establish ECO States ambassadors group in New York.

 

14. Further participating delegations started active discussions. The speakers expressed gratitude to Tajik side and ECO Secretariat for organization of this Meeting, expressed their interest in continuation of this tradition in future, supported the majority of proposals made, declared for further activation of efforts on improvement of ECO activity.

 

15. In particular, the Foreign Minister of Turkey H.E. Mr. A. Gül underlined the necessity of acceleration of ECO Trade and Development Bank operationalization. The Foreign Minister of Iran H.E. Mr. K. Kharrazi highlighted the importance of making concrete steps for establishment of free-trade zone in the ECO region, as well as for operationalization of ECOTA.  The Foreign Minister of Pakistan H.E. Mr. Kasuri also emphasized the necessity of paying primary attention to the practical realization of the decisions made within the ECO framework. The Permanent Representatives to UN of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan underlined that seven ECO countries are landlocked, and therefore it is important to establish interaction with UN for realization of Almaty Program of Action with regard to Transit Transport Cooperation for Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries. The Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the UN emphasized the importance of the decision concerning establishment of ECO Special Fund for Reconstruction of Afghanistan. He expressed hope, that all ECO Member States would concentrate their efforts in resolving this particular issue.

    

 

1.  The Meeting held on 27 September at the UN Headquarters and was coordinated by the Permanent Missions of Tajikistan and Malaysia to the UN. The Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Talbak Nazarov, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, from the ECO side and H.E. Mr. Syed Hamid Albar, the Foreign Minister of Malaysia, from the ASEAN side (the list of participants is attached – Annex-2).

 

2.  Firstly, the Meeting adopted its agenda (attached – Annex-3).

 

3.  Further, both Co-Chairmen made opening remarks. Statement of H.E. Mr. Talbak Nazarov, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, is attached (Annex-4).

 

4.  In his speech, the Foreign Minister of Malaysia highlighted that ASEAN expresses its readiness to share experience with ECO in all areas in which ECO is interested. He emphasized that it is necessary to make efforts in order to achieve the practical realization of at least one concrete joint project. He also underlined that 2005 ECO-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in New York on the sidelines of UN General Assembly will be the jubilee meeting. In this regard, he expressed hope that it will be conducted on the higher organizational level and both Secretariats will inform about realization of concrete projects.

 

5.  Further the Secretaries General of ECO and ASEAN were given the floor. ASEAN Secretary General highlighted that the Working Paper was received from ECO Secretariat, which outlined proposals for ECO-ASEAN collaboration in the 10 identified areas of cooperation. ASEAN Secretariat has studied this Working Paper and proposed that both sides narrow down the scope of cooperation to the four areas, namely: a) trade and investment; b) narcotics control; c) small and medium-sized enterprises; d) tourism. Secretary General of ASEAN proposed to discuss the next practical steps in a Planning Workshop/Design Mission. On the ASEAN side, this Workshop could be participated by ASEAN Secretariat and the Chairmen of the relevant Committee in the mentioned areas.

 

6.  The ECO Secretary General made the statement (the statement is  attached – Annex-5).

 

7.  The participants from ECO and ASEAN reaffirmed their common commitment to develop closer relations aiming to deepen their mutually beneficial cooperation in future.

 

 

1). The Secretary General of ECO visited the office of H.E. Mr. Anwarul K. Chowdhury, the UN Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. Mr. Chowdhury expressed confidence that this meeting with ECO Secretary General will promote the beginning of practical contacts between ECO and the Office lead by him. As the first step of this interaction he proposed experts of these two organizations to determine concrete areas of possible practical cooperation between both organizations. Mr. Chowdhury emphasized, that implementation of Almaty Program of Action with regard to Transit Transport Cooperation for Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries should be the core issue in our relations. He proposed his Office to be involved in all ECO activities in the field of transport. He also proposed to  mention his Office in the overall cooperation between ECO and UN as a part of UN system, including Resolution on Cooperation between ECO and UN. Mr. Chowdhury informed that at the beginning of 2005 UN is planning to conduct International Conference on the Follow up Meeting on the Implementation of Almaty Program of Action with regard to Transit Transport Cooperation for Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries. He expressed interest in participation of ECO in this event and proposed ECO to link all its projects in the field of transport to the Almaty Program of Action. Mr. Chowdhury promised to render political support to the ECO transport projects from the direction of UN.

 

ECO Secretary General informed Mr. Chowdhury about the outcome of the last Dushanbe Summit, as well as the 5^th Ministerial Meeting on Transport held in Kyrgyzstan in August 2004, and passed the report of this meeting for information. Further, the ECO Secretary General told about the activities and plans of ECO in the area of transport, particularly about TTFA, problems related to realization and operationalization of Almaty–Istanbul railway. Secretary General emphasized that seven out of ten ECO Member States are landlocked and, with this regard, expressed interest of ECO in activation of contacts and promotion of cooperation with Mr. Chowdhury’s Office. Underlining the fact that ECO cooperates actively with many UN agencies like UNESCAP, UNDP, UNCTAD, FAO, etc, Secretary General passed the last issue of ECO Bulleting for the information of Mr. Chowdhury. ECO Secretary General and Mr. Chowdhury agreed to start information exchange among the experts of ECO and his Office, based on which the level and the form of future cooperation will be determined.

 

2). The ECO Secretary General met with H.E. Mrs. Louise Fréchette, the UN Deputy Secretary General, at her office. The ECO Secretary General informed, that ECO enjoys observer status with the UN since 1993. ECO has always received cooperation from the UN and its Specialized Agencies like UNDP, UNODC, FAO, UNCTAD, etc. For instance, relations with the UNDP have been very beneficial and ECO received financial and technical assistance of US$ 1 million from it for capacity building.

 

Currently ECO is involved into US$ 327,000 project with FAO for preparation of ECO Regional Strategy on Food Security and into nearly US$ 800,000 project for anti-drugs activities with UNODC.

 

International relations of ECO are also evidenced in cooperation with ESCAP with regard to Asian Highway Development Project and in joint work with UNCTAD on multi-transport project.

 

Along with that, ECO Secretary General informed Mrs. Fréchette about ECO Plan of Action for participation in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and financing its Feasibility Studies for priority projects out of its Special Funds.

 

The ECO Secretary General and Mrs. Fréchette also discussed outcomes of the 14^th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers and 8^th ECO Summit Meeting held in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan, on the 12^th and 14^th September, 2004 respectively.

    

The UN Deputy Secretary General, Mrs. Fréchette interested in organizational aspects of ECO Secretariat activities, issues related to the membership of ECO Member States in the World Trade Organization (WTO), the possibility of establishment of free-trade zone in the region, as well as the influence of the situation in Iraq on the neighboring countries. The ECO Secretary General gave necessary explanations on the above matters.

 

Concluding the meeting, Mrs. Fréchette assured the ECO Secretary General of that UN and its Specialized Agencies will continue active cooperation with ECO since this is in line with the policies of the UN supporting economic and social development of different regions of the World.

 

3). The ECO Secretary General visited the office of H.E. Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General. The ECO Secretary General briefed Special Adviser about the last ECO Summit in Dushanbe and about overall ECO activities. The Secretary General especially emphasized that among decisions made within the ECO framework establishment of ECO Special Fund for Reconstruction of Afghanistan deserves special attention, as it aims to support realization of concrete projects related to reconstruction process in Afghanistan. The ECO Secretary General informed that the Government of Pakistan made decision to contribute US$ 5 million in this Fund. He also stated that ECO will coordinate its activities regarding this matter with the Government of Afghanistan.

 

Mr. Brahimi thanked for detailed information and said that he is following and monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq. Being the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Afghanistan, he was briefly acquainted with ECO. He underlined that many countries of the region, namely Iran, Pakistan, Turkey and others are already rendering substantial assistance to Afghanistan in rehabilitation of its economy on the bilateral basis. Further, he commented on the current situation in Afghanistan, as well as on forthcoming Presidential elections in this country. He highlighted that in general the situation in Afghanistan is developing positively. Afghanistan needs support of the international community, and in this regard, he expressed hope that ECO will also continue to contribute to the revival of Afghanistan.  In conclusion, Mr. Brahimi advised to discuss practical issues related to realization of projects for reconstruction of Afghanistan with the UN Assistance Mission in this country.

    

4). H.E. Mr. Ong Keng Yong, the ASEAN Secretary General, and the ECO Secretary General met in the UN Headquarters and discussed issues related to the forthcoming 9^th ECO-ASEAN Meeting. They shared opinions about Working Paper, prepared by the ECO Secretariat, which contains proposals in identified areas of cooperation.  The ASEAN Secretary General stated that taking into account the limited opportunities and resources ASEAN side considers it rational if the areas of cooperation would be reduced from ten to four, namely a) trade and investment; b) narcotics control; c) small and medium-sized enterprises; d) tourism. Hereby, he suggested starting cooperation from these four areas mentioning that later the fields of interaction could be widened.

 

The ECO Secretary General observed that several days ago ECO Secretariat received comments and opinions of ASEAN Secretariat regarding the areas of cooperation proposed, as well as other documents. The ECO Secretariat is currently studying these materials. After the study is completed the ECO Secretariat will provide the Secretariat of ASEAN with written respond.

 

The ECO Secretary General suggested to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretariats of ECO and ASEAN and ASEAN Secretary General agreed with this proposal. The Parties agreed that the ECO Secretariat will prepare initial Draft of the Memorandum and send it to the ASEAN Secretariat. The Secretaries General consented that, if necessary, the relevant officers from both organizations may hold consultations in the ECO Secretariat or the ASEAN Secretariat to prepare the Working Program on ECO-ASEAN cooperation. The Secretaries General agreed to keep in touch.

 

5). The ECO Secretary General briefly met with H.E. Mr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoğlu, newly appointed Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in the UN Headquarters. The Secretary General of ECO congratulated Mr. Ihsanoğlu on his appointment and informed him about the last ECO Summit held in Dushanbe. The ECO Secretary General also observed that all ten ECO Member States have membership in OIC as well. Further, he expressed hope that OIC in its activities would pay more attention to ECO and highlighted his interest in deepening economic cooperation between two organizations.

 

Secretary General of OIC informed that he will start fulfilling his duties beginning from 1 January, 2005. He also agreed with the necessity of activation of ECO-OIC interaction and expressed his readiness to discuss the matters of cooperation after he takes office.

 

 

The Secretary General of ECO attended the Informal Meeting of the Ministers of Finance of ECO Member States held in Washington on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors. The event took place at the “May Flower Renaissance” hotel, and was coordinated by the Embassy of Turkey in Washington. H.E. Mr. Ali Babacan, the Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey hosted and chaired the Meeting. The Turkish delegation also included H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Çanakçi, Undersecretary of Treasury of Turkey, and Mr. Melih Nemli, Economic Counselor of the Turkish Embassy.

 

The delegation of Pakistan lead by H.E. Dr. Salman Shah, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Financial and Economic Affairs, was also comprised of H.E. Dr. Waqar Masoud Khan, Secretary of Economic Affairs, and Mr. Mushfiq Mehil, Economic Counselor of the Embassy of Pakistan.

 

It is worth mentioning that IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors was shifted from 4-5 October 2004 to 2-3 October 2004, which caused difficulties in coordination of the event with ECO Member States. Mr. Babacan observed the low attendance of the Meeting due to the above-mentioned reason and emphasized that the interest of other Member States must be strengthened. He also proposed to announce these meetings even earlier than it was this year and stated that he does not believe the low attendance is due to some prejudices.

 

Dr. Salman Shah commented that ECO has been primarily in the area of responsibility of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs; however, these institutions have little financial competence. Further, he informed that Pakistan intends to establish separate secretariat for the ECO Finance Ministers.

 

Mr. Babacan underlined the necessity of institutionalization of Finance Ministers Meeting and proposed to conduct such events each year before the ECO Annual Meeting.

 

Nevertheless, both Ministers pointed out the importance and advisability of conducting such meetings and consultations among the Ministers of ECO Member States on the sidelines of IMF/World Bank Meetings in future.

 

During the Meeting matters related to the establishment of the ECO Trade and Development Bank were discussed. Dr. Khan pointed out the necessity of placing this issue on the fast track. The ECO Secretary General informed that according to the information received from Iranian side, it has already begun the process of ratification of the agreement on establishment of the bank without any conditions. In this regard, the Secretariat is planning to hire a consultancy firm to prepare the ECO Business Plan for the establishment of ECO Trade and Development Bank, which requires Iran, Pakistan and Turkey to provide list of competent consultancy firms.

 

Turkey has already provided the Secretariat with such list. In relation to this, the ECO Secretary General kindly requested the delegation of Pakistan to expedite submission of the said list.

 

Pakistani delegation reminded of that on the 1^st Ministerial Meeting of the Ministers of Finance held in Islamabad in January 2004, Turkey announced its willingness to host the 2^nd Ministerial Meeting in 2005. In this regard, it was requested to identify the date of the next Meeting.

 

The State Minister of Turkey observed that this issue is of reference of H.E. Mr. Unakitan, the Finance Minister of Turkey, and promised to convey to him this request.

 

The ECO Secretary General informed participants of the Meeting that so far eight countries, namely Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan have designated their Focal Points to High Level Experts Group (HLEG) as it was decided by the 1^st Ministerial Meeting in Islamabad. The 1^st HLEG Meeting should be held well in advance of the 2^nd Ministerial Meeting. The Secretary General stated that a volunteer country is kindly requested to offer hosting the HLEG Meeting and suggest a date.

 

On the proposal of Mr. Babacan to conduct HLEG Meeting in Tehran, Dr. Shah responded that since the upcoming 2^nd Ministerial Meeting is to be held in Turkey, HLEG Meeting could also be held there.