(New York, United Nations) The highest policy and decision-making body of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the Council of Ministers (COM), have met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss relevant regional and global developments within the ECO framework.
The 25th Informal Meeting was chaired on September, 24, 2018, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Sirodjiddin Muhriddin, who in his speech briefly touched upon vital issues for the Organization, noted that the economic climate at a regional and global scale requires an effective and collective response within the Organization.
During the meeting the Foreign Ministers spoke of their commitment to enhance regional trade and improve socio-economic conditions within the region. They also expressed hope that the ECO region’s transit potential could be fulfilled through the expansion of East-West, North-South and South-West trade corridors.
On the ECO Advocacy program for Afghanistan, the Ministers expressed hope the program can serve as a means to assist the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan to reinforce economic initiatives for sustainable development.
They also emphasized on regional cooperation as a means to achieving long-lasting peace and stability adding that friendly relations can be further strengthened with projects that ensure regional connectivity.
The issue of the ECO Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA) was also high on the agenda with participants agreeing that it would enable the region to function as a bridge between the North and the South and Europe and Asia. Member States emphasized that an upgrade in the region’s rail and transport infrastructure would lead to facilitated trade and broadened economic and environmental collaborations.
The Council congratulated H.E. Mr. Hadi Soleimanpour for assumption of the post of ECO Secretary General and wished him every success in his activity. The Council also expressed its gratitude to H.E. Mr. Khalil Ibrahim Akca for the fruitful activity during his tenure. The Council also expressed appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, for the excellent arrangements in organizing the Informal COM Meeting.
