Aziz to represent Pakistan at ECO summit

Islamabad, May 4 (UNI) Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz today left here for Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to attend the 9th summit of Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO).

Talking to newspersons before his departure, the Prime Minister said that ECO forum could be used in an effective way to promote trade and economic activities in the region.

He said ECO summit was an important forum to promote trade and economic activities among the leaders from Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

He said Pakistan is keen to expand trade and economic relations through this summit.

Mr Aziz said ECO could be helpful to promote multi-dimensional regional cooperation and to create conditions for sustained socio-economic growth in the member states.

The Prime Minister said due to important geographical position of Pakistan in the region, it could play important role in promoting trade and economic activities in the region.

The ports of Gwadar and Karachi could be used by the Central Asian states to promote their trade and particularly transfer their energy to other countries, he said.

Mr Aziz said on the sidelines of the ECO summit, he will meet different leaders and discuss regional issues including Afghanistan, Iran, Kashmir and other issues.

The Prime Minister said during the meeting he would also explain his country's point of view on various regional issues.

He said during the summit Pakistan will present a strategy on ways and priorities to enhance economic ties among the member states.

The Prime Minister said, ''Pakistan will also share its experiences and best practices with the ECO states and call for strengthening the organisation for the benefit of the people of the region.'' The 8th summit of ECO in Dushanbe on September 14, 2004 finalised an agreement for a Free Trade Area and will review the progress during the 9th summit, besides taking up progress on ECO Vision 2015.

UNI XC SC HS1829