Pakistani PM calls for regional connectivity at ECO summit

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday opened a key regional conference that will focus on intra-region connectivity in energy, infrastructure, transport and trade sectors.

The theme of the 13th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is "Connectivity for Regional Prosperity," which, officials insist, has assumed special significance in the backdrop of monumental project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

All the ten member states including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, besides a special representative from China, are participating in the summit.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was elected as chairman of ECO at the opening session.

Addressing the summit after assuming its chairmanship, Nawaz Sharif called for intensified collaboration to exploit enormous potential of ECO to turn the region into a citadel of peace, progress and prosperity.

"The Summit's theme, Connectivity for Regional Prosperity, represents our collective vision to build ECO into a community of shared prosperity through greater economic integration and close people-to-people contact," Nawaz Sharif told the day-long opening session of the summit.

The summit will also adopt the Islamabad Declaration and the ECO Vision 2025, envisaging road map for enhanced economic cooperation and connectivity. The Council of Ministers has already approved the documents.

Nawaz Sharif said the Islamabad Declaration would reflect the consensus and resolve of ECO member states to collectively take on the contemporary economic challenges.

The prime minister called for sustained focus on key areas identified for cooperation in the Islamabad Declaration including trade, transport and energy which could lead to a transformative change across the region.

"Theme of ECO is evident of our commitment towards regional prosperity," the Pakistani prime minister said.

Nawaz Sharif informed the delegates of the presence of Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui at the meeting as special invitation.

Addressing the Summit, ECO Secretary General Halil Ibrahim in his speech pointed out that ECO continues to implement programs and plans decided by its decision making bodies.

He said trade, transport and energy are the core areas being focused by the organization.

He said special emphasis has been given to corridors which will provide access to the ECO landlocked countries, noting tourism has been prioritized as the priority area in the ECO Vision. Endit