ECO Secretariat hosted the 7th (Extra-Ordinary) Meeting of ECOTA Cooperation Council

Mr. Kanan NAZAROV, Deputy Secretary General, inaugurated the meeting and delivered the opening remarks. The Heads of Delegation delivered brief statements highlighting the need for trade liberalization regime in the ECO Region, progress on the implementation of ECOTA, actions taken by their respective governments to implement tariff concessions and proposals to expedite trade/economic integration of the ECO Region.

The particiating delegates in their deliberations acknowledged that delay in the implementation of the agreement would undermine the prospects of the potential benefits that the Agreement has stipulated. They urged on the need to implement it as soon as possible to reap the envisioned benefits for the people of the Region.

The Council reviewed progress on the decisions taken by the 6th Meeting of ECOTA Cooperation Council held on 15th June, 2015, in Ankara. The ECO Secretariat presented a report on the developments taken place since the 6th ECOTA Cooperation Council. Extensive deliberations were made on how to expedite the implementation of the ECOTA and how to move forward on this count and decisions were made in this regard.

The Secretariat highlighted that so far six ECO Member States have acceded to the WTO agreement while the others are in process. The Chair congratulated the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on accession to the WTO and hoped that Afghanistan would play wider role in enhancing intra-regional trade.

At the closing session, the delegates thanked the ECO Secretariat for hosting the meeting. They in particular appreciated for chairing the meeting in a most efficient, effective and cooperative manner. At the conclusion of the Meeting of ECOTA Cooperation Council, the participants called on H.E. Secretary General in his office.