13th ECO Summit ends with adoption of Islamabad Declaration
Islamabad, March 1, IRNA – The 13th Summit of 10-member Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) concluded in Islamabad on Wednesday with adoption of the Islamabad Declaration.
The leaders of ECO member States also adopted ECO Vision 2025, a roadmap for greater regional cooperation and integration in years to come. They unanimously resolved to build and promote multi-dimensional connectivity.
The ECO states in the deceleration expressed grave concern over the security challenges to the region and expressed resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
In the deceleration the ECO strongly opposed policies of some countries towards refugees.
They also expressed concern over the attempts by certain quarters to threaten democracy by discriminatory immigration policies by some states and use of unilateral economic sanctions and coercions.
Islamabad Declaration also underlines the importance of fully exploiting the economic complementarities of member states.
The ECO member states also agreed to build and promote connectivity in multiple domains.
They also emphasized on the need for regional cooperation in the energy sector focusing on infrastructure development and intra-regional energy corridors.
Earlier Azerbaijan handed over the Chairmanship of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) to Pakistan.
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani also participated in the summit.
The next ECO summit will be held with mutual consensus of the member countries and will be communicated later through the ECO Secretary-General.