ECO Secretary General Visits Turkmenistan

On the invitation of the Government of Turkmenistan, the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization, H.E. Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour paid an official visit to Ashgabat from June 28,“30, 2021. During his visit, the ECO Secretary General held a meeting with the honourable President of Turkmenistan, H.E. Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and explored the possibilities of developing the ongoing dialogue between the two sides for expanding multilateral cooperation and increased economic activities in the ECO region.

Felicitating H.E. Mr. Berdimuhamedov to assume ECO,کs Chairmanship for 2021, the Secretary General expressed optimism that the Organization would enter into another phase of development under the kind patronage and visionary leadership of the honourable President of Turkmenistan. Dr. Soleimanpour also briefed the President about the preparatory arrangements being made for the next (15^th) ECO Summit which is scheduled for November 28, 2021 in Turkmenistan. He expected highest level participation in the Summit by Member States, as well as ECO regional and global partners.

H.E. Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov commended the Secretary General and his team for their active role in developing the Organization’s agenda, as well as supporting Turkmenistan to facilitate the progressive activities of the ECO under their chairmanship. He mentioned that Turkmenistan attaches huge significance to the ECO as an important regional economic forum, reaffirming country’s continued and committed efforts to secure the objectives of ECO Vision 2025 and the Organization’s strategic aims in the pursuit of sustainable development and growth in the Region.

Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour also had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Rashid Meredov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.Their interactive talks, inter alia, touched upon ECO’s engagements and activities within the framework of the Organization. The main aspects of the concept developed by Turkmen side for enhancing and accelerating ECO’s functioning were also discussed during the deliberations. The Foreign Minister recalled that Turkmen side aims to continue the arrangements to prepare to host the next Summit on the ECO Day on November 28, 2021. The meeting further witnessed Turkmenistan’s joining of the Economic Cooperation Organization Framework Agreement on Trade Cooperation, which was signed by Mr. O. Gurbannazarov, the Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan.

ECO Secretary General also held several bilateral meetings with some other dignitaries of Turkmenistan, including the Honorable Speaker of Parliament, H.E. Ms. Gulshat Mammedova, Deputy Prime Minister on Economy, H.E. Mr. G. Mushshikov, where certain issues related to the ECO-Turkmenistan relations, and Turkmenistan ECO Chairmanship were discussed. The prioritized tasks underlined in the concept given by Turkmenistan include, the development of regional trade and investment, implementation of financial and banking reforms, creation of favorable conditions for the stimulation of free movement of goods and services, intensification of the progress on establishing free trade zones, energy sustainability and resolving ecological problems, including the involvement of the renewable energy sources in the key sectors of ECO countries’ economies, sustained food security and agricultural development, efforts for reconstruction and development in Afghanistan were also discussed during their deliberative interaction.

A round table meeting between the heads of relevant ministries and the delegation of Economic Cooperation Organization was also held that covered various issues of multilateral interests and benefits of the region in special consideration of the concept of Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the Organization. Discussions also focused on the preparatory arrangements of the 15^th ECO Summit, including the technical and protocol aspects of the event, program, agenda and other related documents, as well as a midterm Meeting of ECO Regional Planning Council under the Chairmanship of Turkmenistan.

During his visit, the ECO Secretary General also participated in the International Media Forum “Regional Dialogue with the Participation of Political Scientists and Journalists” held on June 30, 2021 in the Institute of International Relations of Turkmenistan and delivered his statement.

ECO Secretary General's meetings with the President and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, aired on Turkmenistan State Television