ASHGABAT: President Arif Alvi on Sunday called peace in Afghanistan as “key to connectivity” among the members of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO).
The president made these remarks while addressing the 15th Summit of the Heads of States of the ECO in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Themed “Into the Future Together”, the summit was chaired by Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and attended by heads of ECO member states.
Speaking on the occasion, President Alvi asserted that the specter of economic collapse looms large in Afghanistan due to the winter, which could lead to a complete collapse of the war-torn country and push it towards chaos once again.
The president pointed out that peace in Afghanistan was essential for stability in ECO countries, adding that the Afghan people should particularly be helped in the education and health sectors.
“We must come together to promote economic stability and sustainability in Afghanistan,” Alvi said, adding that the unilateral sanctions worsen human suffering and have adverse consequences for the region.
He emphasised that there was danger of refugees influx in case of economic collapse in Afghanistan, adding that Pakistan has done an “outstanding job” by hosting at least four million refugees during their “difficult times”.
‘Economic growth’
Talking about the economic growth, President Alvi said that despite having all elements, the ECO region was among the least integrated regions in terms of trade and investment which necessitated unlocking of potential for an impetus to growth and development.
The president pointed out that the intra-regional trade among ECO members was only eight percent of their total trade. “Unlocking the potential for regional integration will provide significant impetus to growth and development in all ECO Member States,” he added.
“The ECO region has all the elements needed for economic integration and rapid economic growth: rich resources, enterprising people, geographical contiguity, and a common culture and heritage,” he said.
However, he said for historical reasons, the ECO was among the least integrated regions in terms of trade, investment, finance, infrastructure, regional value chains, labour mobility and social integration.
The president viewed that in order to stay competitive, national and regional economies would have to move towards greater physical and virtual integration. “Such integration is imperative for the ECO region. The theme you have chosen for this Summit – “Into the Future Together” – is thus most apt and timely,” he added.
President Alvi arrived in the Turkmenistan capital on a two-day visit to attend the 15th ECO summit, being held in Ashgabat on Sunday.
