On the invitation of the Governments of Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the ECO Secretary General, H.E. Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca attended the 7th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA-VII) held on 14-15 November 2017 in Ashgabat. The Conference was aimed to further strengthen and enhance regional economic cooperation in support of sustainable development and stability in Afghanistan and across the wider region.
Representatives from thirty-six countries representing Asia, Europe, North and South America, Oceania, twenty-eight international organizations, including UN agencies, as well as a number of public organizations attended the Conference.
The Ministerial segment of the Conference was co-chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan H.E. Mr. Rashid Meredov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan H.E. Mr. Salahuddin Rubbani. The Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan H.E. Mr. Sarwar Danish addressed the Conference.
The ECO Secretary General made a statement at the ministerial segment of the Conference. In his statement, he commended the Governments of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan for invitation and the excellent organization and warm hospitality made by the host authorities. The ECO Secretary General further highlighted the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's engagement in regional activities sponsored by the Economic Cooperation Organization since its accession to ECO in 1992. Ambassador Akca concluded his statement by assuring the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan of the full support of ECO for the national, regional and global activities aiming at securing higher rate of economic growth for Afghanistan and more prosperity for its people and expressed readiness to share with potential partners from outside the Region ECO’s capacities to help implement development-friendly programmes for Afghanistan.
During the Conference, “Transit and Transport Cooperation Agreement” (Lapis Lazuli Route Agreement) between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Turkey and Turkmenistan was signed. The transport corridor is designed to increase the economic integration of the region and increase the volume of trade.
As an outcome of the Conference, the participants unanimously adopted the “RECCA VII Declaration”.
