Regional summit: ECO has long way to go: Zardari
Emphasises trade at the 12th ECO Summit in Baku.
BAKU/AZERBAIJAN:
For a regional organisation that includes seven oil and gas rich Central Asian states, the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) has a long way to go.
President Asif Ali Zardari, representing one of the founding members of the organisation, Pakistan, minced no words in emphasising the same in his address at the 12th ECO Summit in Baku on Tuesday.
“We must ask ourselves why the ECO has not progressed?” the president said, talking about the challenges facing the bloc.
While other regional blocs, like the European Union and Asean, continue to progress and strengthen their linkages, ECO continues to speak only of potential, rather than results, he said.
“We must challenge ourselves to do better constantly … this is the only way forward for all of us,” he added.
Expedite trade
President Zardari also urged members of the ECO to expedite implementation of past agreements for trade liberalisation, and bring down tariff and non-tariff barriers.
“We must resolve to operationalise the ECO Trade Agreement from January 1, 2013,” the president said, adding that member states must commit to become a part of the trade agreement which is one of the core objectives of the organisation.
“Common heritage has given us the collective political will and the modus operandi for further regional cooperation and integration amongst our 10 countries,” the president said.
Regional connectivity
Emphasising regional linkages, the president said energy must flow from energy-rich to energy-deficient countries in the region and that oil and gas pipelines and power grids must be built.
“The ECO train, which I like to call the Gul Train, must be implemented”, he said, adding it will enhance trade not only among Turkey, Iran and Pakistan, but among all countries of the region.
Meeting with Turkish PM
President Asif Ali Zardari and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also met on the sidelines of the summit, and held wide-ranging discussions on the peace process in Afghanistan and the situation in Middle East particularly Syria.
Zardari said both Pakistan and Turkey need to coordinate closely on the deteriorating situation in Syria as it has serious implications for the entire Middle Eastern region. He said Pakistan has already condemned the reprehensible act of cross border shelling in which Turkish citizens lost their lives.
He added that both Pakistan and Turkey should create facilitative mechanisms and opportunities for their private sectors in order to achieve the mutually agreed trade target of $2 billion.
In turn, the Turkish prime minister assured full support and cooperation and appreciated the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against militancy and terrorism. He also assured assistance to Pakistan in its efforts in the war against terror.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar was also present during the meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2012.
For a regional organisation that includes seven oil and gas rich Central Asian states, the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) has a long way to go.
President Asif Ali Zardari, representing one of the founding members of the organisation, Pakistan, minced no words in emphasising the same in his address at the 12th ECO Summit in Baku on Tuesday.
“We must ask ourselves why the ECO has not progressed?” the president said, talking about the challenges facing the bloc.
While other regional blocs, like the European Union and Asean, continue to progress and strengthen their linkages, ECO continues to speak only of potential, rather than results, he said.
“We must challenge ourselves to do better constantly … this is the only way forward for all of us,” he added.
Expedite trade
President Zardari also urged members of the ECO to expedite implementation of past agreements for trade liberalisation, and bring down tariff and non-tariff barriers.
“We must resolve to operationalise the ECO Trade Agreement from January 1, 2013,” the president said, adding that member states must commit to become a part of the trade agreement which is one of the core objectives of the organisation.
“Common heritage has given us the collective political will and the modus operandi for further regional cooperation and integration amongst our 10 countries,” the president said.
Regional connectivity
Emphasising regional linkages, the president said energy must flow from energy-rich to energy-deficient countries in the region and that oil and gas pipelines and power grids must be built.
“The ECO train, which I like to call the Gul Train, must be implemented”, he said, adding it will enhance trade not only among Turkey, Iran and Pakistan, but among all countries of the region.
Meeting with Turkish PM
President Asif Ali Zardari and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also met on the sidelines of the summit, and held wide-ranging discussions on the peace process in Afghanistan and the situation in Middle East particularly Syria.
Zardari said both Pakistan and Turkey need to coordinate closely on the deteriorating situation in Syria as it has serious implications for the entire Middle Eastern region. He said Pakistan has already condemned the reprehensible act of cross border shelling in which Turkish citizens lost their lives.
He added that both Pakistan and Turkey should create facilitative mechanisms and opportunities for their private sectors in order to achieve the mutually agreed trade target of $2 billion.
In turn, the Turkish prime minister assured full support and cooperation and appreciated the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against militancy and terrorism. He also assured assistance to Pakistan in its efforts in the war against terror.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar was also present during the meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2012.