Kabul's offer to host the upcoming ECO summit; Afghanistan is an active part of the region's economy: Mullah Baradar

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Kabul: Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who headed a high-level delegation and attended the meeting at the official invitation of the Azerbaijani government, in his speech, pointing to the Islamic Emirate's "balanced and economic-oriented" foreign policy, noted that Afghanistan was recently recognized by the Russian Federation. He welcomed the move and called on the ECO member states to take positive and practical steps to recognize the Islamic Emirate, understanding the current political realities of Afghanistan and taking into account the long-standing relations with the organization.

The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs further explained the economic policies of the Islamic Emirate, recent economic developments, extensive investment opportunities and existing capacities of Afghanistan to implement large-scale regional projects. He called on ECO member states to work closely with a stable, reliable and cooperative Afghanistan to strengthen economic and regional cooperation and create an environment for sustainable growth in areas such as trade, investment, energy, transport, agriculture, environmental protection and tackling climate change.

"We believe that the economies of ECO member countries will grow optimally when Afghanistan is also an active and dynamic part of the equation," Mullah Baradar said.

He also expressed his sympathy for the Palestinian people and condemned the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, saying: "The injustice being done to the oppressed people of Gaza must end as soon as possible. We fully support the liberation of Palestine and the preservation of the Islamic identity of Jerusalem.”

In the final part of his speech, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar proposed that the 18th OECD summit be held in Kabul.

"We are fully prepared to host this important and valuable meeting and will warmly welcome all participants," he added.

 

The 17th ECO Summit was attended by presidents, prime ministers and senior officials of member countries, and participants emphasized strengthening cooperation in political, economic, trade, transit, transport, cultural, investment and regional connectivity.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has been invited to the highest level of the ECO summit for the first time in four years, at the invitation of the Azerbaijani government. The Islamic Emirate has previously criticized the failure to invite Afghanistan to the ECO meetings.