The adviser added that Pak-Afghan border will reopen in coming two to three days to resume normal trade and other activities between the two countries. Briefing reporters, the adviser said that recent spate of terror attacks will not hamper happening of the Summit and almost all member states, except Afghanistan, have already confirmed participation at heads of state or heads of government level.
He stated that Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani has confirmed his participation at the Summit but efforts are under way to ensure participation from Afghanistan at the highest political level. "Pakistan is looking forward to active participation of all member states. Together we can advance regional co-operation agenda for the benefit of our peoples," he added.
About Afghanistan''s concerns over closure of the Pak-Afghan border after the recent terror attacks, he said that Pakistan has shared proposals with Afghan government regarding effective border management mechanism, adding the proposals would hopefully adopted on the sidelines of the ECO Summit.
As far as the Pak-Afghan border is concerned, the adviser said that the border crossings will reopen in coming two to three days. He said that stringent security arrangements are already in place to hold a successful Summit which would also send a positive message at the international level. Citing examples of terror attacks in Turkey and some other countries, he said that such incidents cannot hamper activities like the ECO Summit.
To a question about Indian Prime Minister Modi''s assertion to isolate Pakistan following Pathankot attack, Aziz said that the Indian agenda of isolating Pakistan has badly failed, adding the high-level exchanges with other countries and holding of the upcoming ECO Summit are manifestation of the fact.
To another query about SAARC, he confirmed that India has withdrawn its reservations over appointment of Pakistan nominee Amjad Hussain Sial as the next secretary-general of Saarc and he would assume the charge of his office on March 01, 2017. He also expressed the hope that SAARC Summit will also be held in Islamabad anytime soon, which was postponed last year in November when India and some other countries including Afghanistan refused to attend it.
Aziz further said that the 13th ECO Summit will be preceded by the senior official''s meeting (SOM) on February 26-27 and Council of Foreign Ministers'' Meeting (COM) on February 28, 2017. Earlier, Pakistan had hosted the 3rd ECO Summit at Islamabad in May 1995.
"High-level participation of the member states will greatly enhance the vitality and substance of the Summit," he said, adding the ECO observers and special guests have also been invited to attend the Summit. He said that the theme of the Summit is "Connectivity for Regional Prosperity," adding it will deliberate and decide on ways and means to augment co-operation in the areas of connectivity, trade, energy, tourism, investment, industry, economic growth, productivity, social welfare and environment.
Initiatives for furtherance of education and scientific linkages, cultural and people-to-people contacts within the ECO would also be deliberated upon during the Summit, he added.
He pointed out that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an outstanding example of the Summit''s theme of connectivity. "It will augment the existing and planned transit and energy corridors in ECO region for greater progress and prosperity for our peoples," he added.
He said that the Islamabad Declaration which has already been finalised would focus on the Summit theme of connectivity as a dynamic concept that encompasses multiple dimensions including transit transport such as rail, road, ports and shipping and cyber linkages. The Summit would act as a catalyst to integrate these initiatives into a comprehensive connectivity apparatus of the ECO, he added.
About the expected outcomes, he said that Pakistan believes that ECO has the collective strength to meet the challenges that lie ahead. "Together we can, and should make a difference. Otherwise, history will not forgive us," he said, adding the theme of connectivity would help foster road, rail, air, energy, cyber and knowledge based connectivity.
The significance of CPEC as catalyst for regional connectivity and integration would be further highlighted, he said, adding the Summit will provide an opportunity to reaffirm Pakistan''s commitment to progress and prosperity for the ECO region. He further said that the event will also enable the member states to identify new areas of co-operation, besides cementing the progress on matters currently under process. "A successful and active ECO can serve the interests of all member states," he added.
He pointed out that adoption of ECO Vision 2025 that sets tangible goals for ECO is another major milestone for the organisation, adding the ECO Vision 2025 envisages that ECO will become a territory of integrated and sustainable economies as well as free trade area achieved by highly educated societies and improved governance through enhanced co-operation.
According to him, the Summit would provide a platform to ECO member states to enhance regional integration through preferential tariffs, activation of established ECO institutions and finalising an effective transport strategy aiming to boost cross-border connectivity, enhancing trade and strengthening regional economic co-operation in the region.
He stated that establishment of a free trade area in the ECO region (ECOTA), signed in Islamabad in July 2003 during the 2nd ECO Ministerial Meeting, and its operationalisation would be a major step towards realisation of the organisation''s goal of removal of trade barriers.
He said that Transit Trade Framework Agreement (TTFA) is ECO''s basic document in the transport sector, providing background for a historical movement towards cost reduction and acceleration of the transport services through harmonisation and modernisation of transit transport in the region.
He also pointed out that ECO fund for reconstruction of Afghanistan is one of the initiatives of ECO and the modalities for a special fund for reconstruction of Afghanistan were approved by the 14th COM meeting held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in September 2004. Pakistan has been a leading supporter of this initiative and has pledged a total of US $5 million, he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017