ECO Secretary General visited Pakistan
PRESS RELEASE
H.E. Mr. Askhat Orazbay, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) visited Islamabad (Pakistan) From 7-9 June 2004. During this visit he paid courtesy calls on the Pakistani dignitaries, including H.E. General Pervez Mosharraf, President, H.E. Mr. Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Riaz H. Khokhar, Foreign Secretary and, H.E. Mr. Tariq Osman Hydar Additional foreign Secretary (UN & EC) of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
During the meeting with the President, the Secretary General thanked the I.R. of Pakistan for actively supporting ECO’s programmes and projects. He expressed the hope that I.R.of Pakistan will enhance the contribution and support to ECO. The Secretary General briefed the President about the priority projects of ECO under implementation i.e. ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA), Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA), Feasibility study on Interconnection of ECO countries Power Systems funded by Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Establishment of ECO trade and Development Bank and ECO Reinsurance Company, Almay-Tashkent-Turkmenabad-Tehran-Istanbul, Passenger Train Route and Effective participation of ECO in Reconstruction of Afghanistan. The Secretary General also informed the President about the preparation of the 8th ECO Summit scheduled to be held on September 14, 2004 in Tajikistan.
The President assured the Secretary General that Pakistan will continue to extend all possible support for the implementation of the ECO priority projects. The President highlighted the importance of development of the infrastructure and communications on priority basis in order to facilitate greater interaction among the member states and economic integration of the region. The President also stressed the need for enhancing effectiveness of the organization enabling it to realize the objectives enshrined in its charter. The President outlined the imperative joint action for combating terrorism and drug abuse also the production & trafficking of narcotics, which are adversely affecting the economic development of the region.
The Secretary General, in his meeting with H.E. Mr. Mirzafarullah Khan Jamali, the Prime Minister, briefed him about his future plans for strengthening ECO. The Prime Minister stated that ECO should play a vibrant and effective role in promoting economic and trade relations amongst the member states. The Prime Minister also conveyed his willingness to attend the forthcoming 8th ECO summit.
The Secretary General, during his meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Secretary and Additional Foreign Secretary of the I.R. of Pakistan, discussed the ECO activities in priority area of cooperation and measure for strengthening of Organization in face of future challenges.
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