Ashgabat, 29 November 2021 (TDI): On November 29, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to Turkmenistan Farrukh Sharifzoda, spoke at a general briefing.
The event was dedicated to the results and aftermath of the 15th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO). The Summit took place in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Briefing
Rashid Meredov, the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, commenced the briefing. Other speakers included the Secretary-General as well as heads of diplomatic missions of ECO member states.
Additionally, the UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan and Head of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat also marked their presence. Finally, the Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia were present at the conference as well.
As the briefing proceeded, all parties acknowledged the agreements made as a consequence of the 25th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers. This was held on 28 November. In addition, they also similarly noted the agreements of the 15th Summit of Heads of State of the Economic Cooperation Organisation.
All present representatives reaffirmed the respective country’s commitment to accelerating the pace of cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Participants expressed that their long-term objective was to transform the ECO into a dynamic and efficient regional economic structure. These constituted transport and transit, climate, and energy cooperation.
Tajikistan’s Proposals
With particular emphasis on Tajikistan, it was noted that the proposals and initiatives of the Head of State of Tajikistan were in global demand. The Turkmen representatives expressed their support for Tajikistan’s proposals in the fields of hydropower, transport and logistics, and the climate agenda (including the protection of glaciers). They further demonstrated firm interest in establishing cooperation with Tajikistan in carrying out these proposals.
Lastly, the participants of the briefing discussed the adoption of the final ‘Ashgabat Consensus for Action’. This will promote mutually beneficial cooperation between ECO’s member states and ensure common security and stability. Furthermore, it will also greatly accelerate the economic development of the countries in the region.
Brief Overview ECO
Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) was founded in 1985, by the nations of Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan as a follow-up of the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD). Later, in 1992, it was joined by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
The organization hosts various summits, seminars, ministerial meetings as well as regular sessions to cooperate on matters of trade and investment. In effect, it aims to provide links to its member states in terms of mutual economic collaboration.
