Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jalil Abbas Jilani has said that to boost co-operation among D-8 Members Countries, three important documents -- Global Vision 2012-30, Islamabad Declaration 2012 and Developing?-8 Organisation for Economic Co-operation, were signed.
In Islamabad Declaration 2012, it was pledged to work in solidarity to confront common challenges faced by the D-8 community, especially achieving food security, mitigating the impact of natural disasters and countering all forms of extremism which undermine economic progress and negatively affect the livelihood of our peoples. The ratification of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) by Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey, and its entry into force, and the current efforts towards its implementation was addressed in the declaration. It stressed these countries should take all the required measures to begin the implementation of the Agreement.
He said that the D-8 Global Vision 2012-30 stressed to promote and enhance collaborative partnership and engagement between public and private sectors at the national level within and among the member states. The document 'Developing?-8 Organisati?on for Economic Co-operation' has expressed desire to establish a strong framework of economic co-operation for development covering all areas of activities and geared to the improvement of the economic and social indicators that would bring qualitative change in the lives of the people in the Member States.
The foreign Secretary said the D-8 countries Summit took place in Pakistan after eight years gape. Last summit which Islamabad hosted was SAARC Summit. It was an acknowledgement of D-8 countries the importance attached to Pakistan. He said the Summit was participated by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Advisor to Bangladesh Prime Minister for International Affairs Professor Gowher Rizvi.
He explained that Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi cancelled his visit to Pakistan due to important developments taking place in the Gaza and his presence was needed there. His Vice-President Mahmus Mekki arrived this morning to attend the conference. The D-8 Summit which was participated by eight countries was an initiative of President Asif Ali Zardar. The theme of the summit was 'Democratic partnership for peace and prosperity'.
On sideline of summit, an exhibition of D-8 business forums was arranged which was participated by D-8 countries' chambers of commerce and industries. Heads of central banks of member countries also took part in the summit who discussed establishment of trade development banks in D-8 countries. The suggestion of President of Pakistan regarding border free trade was also discussed along with the idea of 'currency swap'.
Apart from this, President Asif Ali Zardari emphasised interaction between parliamentarians, media, civil society, judges, academia among the D-8 member countries. He said the meeting emphasised that PTA should be made operational. Leaders decided the 9th D-8 summit would be hosted by Turkey in 2014.
Secretary said in the sideline of the summit, head of states met and discussed the situation in Syria and discussed what steps should be taken to cease-fire in Gaza as everybody wanted urgent attention to the early resolution of Palestinian issue. The conflicting issues of Kashmir and Afghanistan also came under discussion. The leaders believed that stability in Afghanistan was essential for stability in the region.
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