On July 3, 2020, the ECO Secretary General, Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour had a telephonic conversation with the honourable Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The two sides discussed, inter alia, the ongoing activities under ECO Vision, measures to respond COVID-19, increased cooperation on economic and connectivity issues, as well as matters concerning the overall development in the region.
On July 3, 2020, the ECO Secretary General, Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour had a telephonic conversation with the honourable Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The two sides discussed, inter alia, the ongoing activities under ECO Vision, measures to respond COVID-19, increased cooperation on economic and connectivity issues, as well as matters concerning the overall development in the region.
The Secretary General briefed the Foreign Minister on latest developments in regard to implementation of the decisions made by 24th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers, especially the successful accomplishment of reform process and organization’s fresh approach towards making the ECO project-oriented.
The Secretary General also condemned the inhuman and terrible attack on the Karachi Stock Exchange, extending deep sympathies and condolences over the loss of precious lives. He also condoled the human fatalities due to Coronavirus and conveyed best wishes for the affectees and survivors.
The Foreign Minister reasserted Pakistan’s commitment to ECO and determination to achieve organization’s goals, assuring the Secretary General of his complete support for enhancement of cooperation amongst the ECO Member States in the pursuit of aims and objectives envisaged in the ECO Vision 2025.
The Secretary General acknowledged the Pakistan’s leading role for regional economic integration through the ECO’s platform, commending the country’s longstanding support to secure the organization’s developmental goals enshrined in the Treaty of Izmir and the ECO Vision 2025. He further admired the country’s valued efforts for development and progress of the ECO that have been of greater utility and importance to transform the organization into an inspiring and strong regional economic forum.
During the telephonic interaction, the Foreign Minister underlined the “Global Initiative on Debt Relief” taken by His Excellency Mr. Imran Khan, the honourable Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, emphasizing on the collaborative, coordinative and comprehensive moves to create fiscal space for developing countries to tackle the socio-economic repercussions of the COVID-19.
The Secretary General appreciated the Pakistani Prime Minister’s call for “Global Initiative on Debt Relief”, supporting the idea of creating fiscal space at regional level to address the economic impacts of COVID-19.
The Secretary General also apprised the Foreign Minister on Secretariat’s initiative of approaching some prominent regional and international monetary bodies, seeking their collaborative engagements with the ECO Trade and Development Bank, in order to address the negative effects of the Coronavirus and assist the most vulnerable countries in the region. He added that the responses received in this regard were quite encouraging.
Praising Pakistan’s keenness in early convening of ECO Health Ministers’ Virtual Conference, the Secretary General thanked the Foreign Minister for supporting the idea to host the said virtual event to mull over, mainly, a feasible and coordinated regional reaction to COVID-19.
While appreciating Pakistan’s support to ECO’s initiatives in Afghanistan for implementing selected projects through ECO Fund for Afghanistan, the Secretary General informed the Minister that the Secretariat was in process of developing some special project proposals for Afghanistan to help it meet the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.
Both sides agreed to work closely for implementation of ECO Projects, particularly, in the area of transit-transport, health and to be engaged in any other facilitative measures that could help counter the negative effects of COVID-19.
The two sides also discussed other important regional issues including Kashmir and Afghanistan Peace Process which have been directly or indirectly hampering the smooth economic progress in the ECO region. They appeared mutually receptive to address all areas of common concerns.
The Secretary General briefed the Foreign Minister on latest developments in regard to implementation of the decisions made by 24th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers, especially the successful accomplishment of reform process and organization’s fresh approach towards making the ECO project-oriented.
The Secretary General also condemned the inhuman and terrible attack on the Karachi Stock Exchange, extending deep sympathies and condolences over the loss of precious lives. He also condoled the human fatalities due to Coronavirus and conveyed best wishes for the affectees and survivors.
The Foreign Minister reasserted Pakistan’s commitment to ECO and determination to achieve organization’s goals, assuring the Secretary General of his complete support for enhancement of cooperation amongst the ECO Member States in the pursuit of aims and objectives envisaged in the ECO Vision 2025.
The Secretary General acknowledged the Pakistan’s leading role for regional economic integration through the ECO’s platform, commending the country’s longstanding support to secure the organization’s developmental goals enshrined in the Treaty of Izmir and the ECO Vision 2025. He further admired the country’s valued efforts for development and progress of the ECO that have been of greater utility and importance to transform the organization into an inspiring and strong regional economic forum.
During the telephonic interaction, the Foreign Minister underlined the “Global Initiative on Debt Relief” taken by His Excellency Mr. Imran Khan, the honourable Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, emphasizing on the collaborative, coordinative and comprehensive moves to create fiscal space for developing countries to tackle the socio-economic repercussions of the COVID-19.
The Secretary General appreciated the Pakistani Prime Minister’s call for “Global Initiative on Debt Relief”, supporting the idea of creating fiscal space at regional level to address the economic impacts of COVID-19.
The Secretary General also apprised the Foreign Minister on Secretariat’s initiative of approaching some prominent regional and international monetary bodies, seeking their collaborative engagements with the ECO Trade and Development Bank, in order to address the negative effects of the Coronavirus and assist the most vulnerable countries in the region. He added that the responses received in this regard were quite encouraging.
Praising Pakistan’s keenness in early convening of ECO Health Ministers’ Virtual Conference, the Secretary General thanked the Foreign Minister for supporting the idea to host the said virtual event to mull over, mainly, a feasible and coordinated regional reaction to COVID-19.
While appreciating Pakistan’s support to ECO’s initiatives in Afghanistan for implementing selected projects through ECO Fund for Afghanistan, the Secretary General informed the Minister that the Secretariat was in process of developing some special project proposals for Afghanistan to help it meet the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.
Both sides agreed to work closely for implementation of ECO Projects, particularly, in the area of transit-transport, health and to be engaged in any other facilitative measures that could help counter the negative effects of COVID-19.
The two sides also discussed other important regional issues including Kashmir and Afghanistan Peace Process which have been directly or indirectly hampering the smooth economic progress in the ECO region. They appeared mutually receptive to address all areas of common concerns.
