- 13TH ECO Summit held in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD, March 1: The Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) on Wednesday issued the Islamabad Declaration reiterating continued support to the national, regional and global efforts for reconstruction and sustainable development as well as peace and security in Afghanistan.
The ECO Member States particularly acknowledged the importance of Afghanistan for ECO Region, the Foreign Office said.
They reiterated that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnicity and expressing our resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
They reiterated political will and strong commitment for realizing the aims and objectives of the Organization for economic development, common prosperity, regional integration and peace and stability in the ECO Region.
The ECO welcomed further enlargement and outreach of the Organization through full membership to the interested states, and observership to the interested states/ organizations, on case to case basis, adding value to the Organization.
Reaffirming commitment to the principles and objectives enshrined in the Treaty of Izmir, the member countries attached great importance to the cooperation frameworks developed under the different agreements concluded between the Member States and the momentum created in different fields of cooperation which can underpin and complement each other for meeting the objectives of the Economic Cooperation Organization. The leaders further recalled commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter including in particular the respect for political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, development of friendly relations among nations, and pacific settlement of disputes.
They shared assessment of the constantly evolving global and regional environment and new developments that present multiple challenges and opportunities.
The ECO States expressed resolve to work together, including by positioning the ECO to effectively address these challenges and to seize the opportunities for the collective benefit of the region and its people.
They highlighted the positive political, economic, cultural and technological developments that can facilitate the realization of the long-held dream of trans-Eurasian connectivity, including in the ECO Region.
The Member States agreed to approach connectivity as a dynamic concept that encompasses multiple dimensions including cyber, energy, rail, road, and ports and shipping. They encouraged further development of educational and scientific linkages, and cultural and people to people contacts.
The leaders underlined the significance of fully exploiting the complementarities offered by shared geography, history and culture, and the comparative advantages and diversity of resources of member states to bring about greater connectivity and economic integration in the ECO Region.
The ECO member countries appreciated the value and importance of a steady and flexible approach to regional connectivity and integration that enables Member States to contribute to be part of and benefit from the various connectivity and integration programs in a gradual and progressive manner according to their respective state of preparedness.
They recognized the existence of various connectivity initiatives in the ECO region, and welcomed these projects feed into the overall vision of comprehensive ECO connectivity and integration. The member states reiterated commitment to promote intra-ECO trade as an instrument of enhanced economic cooperation and revitalization in the region.
The ECO countries underlined the importance of the Post 2015 Development Agenda and the role that can be played by the ECO Member States for achieving the goals and targets set out therein and in this context recalled that promotion of conditions for sustainable development through mobilization of economic and social potential of the ECO Region requires further strengthened cooperation and collaboration especially through enhanced trade and connectivity among the Member States in order to further strengthen the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties among the peoples of the region.
The ECO Summit recognized the importance of moderation as an approach to counter all forms of extremism and promote dialog, mutual respect, understanding and social harmony, thereby contributing towards the achievement of sustainable and inclusive development, equitable growth, stability and prosperity in the ECO Region. – Agencies
