Mr. Yahya Maroofi, Secretary General of ECO
Excellencies
Distinguished delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a matetr of great honour and privilege for me to represent Pakistan at the 19th ECO Council of Ministers meeting in this historic city of Istanbul.
I would first like to avail myself of this opportunity ot convey, on behalf of the Pakistan delegation, and on my own behalf, our gratitute to the Government of Republic of Turkey for hosting the Summit and extending warm reception and generous hospitality to us.
Pakistan-Turkey friendship is time tested adn unique. Our brotherhood is based on centureis old bonds of history, culture, faith, and traditions. We always have a special place for each other in our hearts.
The cultural and spiritual links between our two peoples are abiding as they are deep. Maulana Rumi and Allama Iqbal epitomize the essence of our mystical and philosophical traditions. They are eternal symbols of our glorious past.
I am pleased to re-visit Istanbul, the beautiful, cultural and commercial capital of Turkey. A city that truly reflects the grandeur of our rich and common history and our collective heritage. Thus, an appropriate venue for the 11th ECO Summit.
I would like to extend my warmest felicitations to you, my brother and friend, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, on your assumption of the charimanship of this Council of Ministers. We are confident that under your able and experienced leadership this meeting will be a great success.
May I also express our deep appreciation to my Iranian colleague for steering this body with distinction for the past year.
Our appreciation is also due to His Excellency M.r Yahya Maroofi, Secretary General of ECO and his team from the Secretariat for successfully organizing this important event.
Excellencies
The theme of this Summit is of great importance. Five years ago, we agreed on Vision 2015. It charted out a pragmatic roadmap for this next ten years. This is therefore, an appropriateoccassion for mid-term review and stock taking.
While we take a great deal of satisfaction in having achieved substantial results, we are still far from realizing the lofty objectives of an integrated, inter-conected and prosperous region.
Excellencies
The ECO member States share many commonalities, which bind us all into a cohesive fraternity. We are heirs of a rich cultural heritage. Our region is equally rich in resources, both human and material.
As one of the founding members of the ECO, Pakistan firmly believes that this important Organization has great potential for contributing to the achievement of economic progress adn prosperity of in the ECO region. Our commitment to the goals and objectives of the ECO stems from this very strong conviction.
It is a matter of great satisfaction to note that the ECO has emerged as a dynamic organization with the passage of time. It is characterized by a strong institutional framework, an active interaction with other regional and global bodies and an all-eocompassing agenda.
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
Global peace, stability and prosperity are indivisible. The global effects of economic and financial turmoil are not far behind us. We need to devise mechanisms to effectively respond to comtemporary challenges with enthusiasm and dedication.
The global financial crisis has not been the sole setback. There is a plethora of challenges threatening the region. Terrorism, drug-trafficking, trans-national organized crime and natural disasters are undermining our efforts to contribute to the economic progress and presperity of the people. This calls for innovative approaches and focused attention on socio-economic development.
Excellencies
It is our primary responsibility to make the Secretariat as strong and as viable as possible so that its capacity to deliver in an efficient manner does not get adversely affectely. My delegation, therefore, urges all member states to make timely contributions towards its budget.
One of the fundamental objectives of the ECO is to ensure liberalization of trade through lowering trade barriers. The ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA), therefore, remains at the heart of ECO's ambitions to establish within the region, a free trade area by 2015. The ECO Vision 2015 justifiably accords it the top priority. The Agreement has the potential to create vast opportunities for the economic uplift of our peoples. Together with the Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA), it can prove to be the engine of growth in the region.
I am happy to report that Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to implement ECOTA bilaterally. We are also pleased that Afghanistan too has conveyed the Positive, Negative adn Sensitive lists in the context of ECOTA. We are hopeful that the other signatories would also provide the necessary Lists at na early date so that this important Agreement is implemented in the near future. At the same time, Pakistan strongly urges the non-Signatories to join this Agreement.
What trade is to prosperity in the region, connectivity is to trade. The development of an efficient and modern transportation and communication network among the ECO member States is an important factor in the exapansion of trade and socio-economic intergration. Pakistan welcomes the commencement of the ECO Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Container Train which had its inaugural run in August last year.
The recent launch of the ECO Silk Road Truck Carvan is a very important milestone avhieved by the Organization. This linkage would not only help boost trade, but also serve as an effective vehicle to increase people to people contacts and promote tourism among the member countries. We hope that this Carvan, like the ECO Container Train would be able to start its regular run in the near future.
The existance of trade, transit and transport corridors across the region will guarantee economic development and the prosperity of our people.
Ladies and gentlemen
It is heartening to note that the ECO Trade and Development Bank has started its operations. A Representative Office has been opened in Pakistan. We are confident that this project iin tandem with the ECO Reinsurance Company, the latter when esta blished, will play a crucial role in providing the necessary financial security to the business community of the ECO region. We request the remaining signatories to complete the necessary formalities fo rratificatin of the Articles of Agreement for the establishemnt of the Re-insurance Company at an early date. I would invite the remaining member States to join this project.
One of the objectives of the ECO, as stipulated in the Treaty of Izmir, is to enhance efforts for effective utilization of the agricultural potentials of the region. Vision 2015 also envisages food and security for the region. The agriculture sector is of immense importace for the ECO member States, as it plays a key role in employent, exports, food security and provision of raw materials. It, therefore, requires greater attention.
Conservation of water in the face of higher growth rates in developing countries demands our full attentionn at teh regional level. The ECO Centre for Efficient Utilization of Water should go a long way to serve as a regional resource hub for addressing water related issues in our region. I request all member States to actively support its early establishment in Pakistan.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Pakistan attaches great importance to science and and technology for the advancement of our countries. The Treaty of Izmin envisaged the establishment of ECO Science Foundation as a Specialized Agency of ECO. This foundation would not only function as a reservior of highly skilled scientific and technical manpower, but also facilitate promotion of scientific research among the member States.
Unfortunatly, this important Foundation has not been able to start functioning despite a lapse of many hears. However, we have recently made positive headway. The Base Documents of the Foundation have been finalized during the 2nd Experts Groups Meeting held in Tehran on 30-31 August 2010.
Pakistan will be hosting the 1st meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Foundationn in January 2011. This meeting will render the Foundation operational. On behalf of the Government of Pakistan, I would like to extend a cordial invitation to the Ministers of Science of Technology of the ECO member States to participate in this important meeting.
We welcome the establishment of the ECO Regionnal office on Development of Science and New Technologies in Almaty, Kazakhstan. An operational linkage would be established between these two institutions to make them more useful and result-oriented.
One of the unique strengths of the ECO region is its richness in mineral and engergy resources. This cumulative abundance of resources gives it an unparalleled advantage. Pakistan is keen to see proliferation of the infrastructure and energy projects in and across the ECO region.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Pakistan has been at the forefront of ECO's efforts for the reconstruction of our brotherly neighbour, Afghanistan. We have pledged a total of US $ 5 million, and have thus far remitted US$2million. We are pleased to note that a lot of reconstruction activities in Afghanistan are taking place under the umbrella of this Organization.
Excellencies
We have a vision for this region, the vision to see it transformed into a stable, peaceful, and prosperous area.
As a founding member of the ECO, Pakistan has always associated itself with the Organization's activities with a sincerity of purpose. We are optimistic that the ECO has the ability to move ahead, faster. I reiterate Pakistan's commitment to contribute optimally for an early and full realization of ECO's objectives. I wish the 19th Council of Ministers a great success.
I thank you all.
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