Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Tuesday stressed for bolstering trade and economic relations amongst the member states of Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) for bringing economic prosperity in the region. "Pakistan is not only a close neighbour of the ECO member states but also shares with them deep rooted religious, historical and cultural links and strong economic and strategic complementarities," Qureshi said, addressing a ceremony in connection with ECO Day.
He said that Pakistan attaches great importance to enhancing its relations with ECO member states based on comprehensive engagement. He said Pakistan has been successful in maintaining excellent political relations with all the regional countries.
"Regular interaction at the highest level has laid solid foundation for continued expansion of cooperation in all areas of interest," he said, adding that Pakistan and the ECO member states have developed a commonality of views on important international and regional issues, particularly regarding regional security, peace and sustainable development.
Qureshi told the delegates from the ECO member states that regional integration and connectivity is one of the key pillars of the current government's policy that enables us to join hands in pursuing our common objective of bolstering peace and development in our region.
"This is where Pakistan and other countries of the region have the biggest opportunity to work for the betterment of our people," he said, adding that improved connectivity among the ECO member states would not only raise the living standards of common people and future generations but also lead the region's march towards greater integration in keeping with common culture and shared ethnicity and history.
He pointed out that greater connectivity among the member states through rail, road, sea and air linkages would act as a catalyst to boost intra-region trade. He said it would also bring down the cost of transportation which is a big plus for the regional economic blocs.
"Our vision of connectivity where we are better integrated with sound infrastructure remains a key development goal for the region," he said. The Foreign Minister also reiterated that Pakistan strongly believes in an integrated region and sustainable economies that provide the member states all the necessary tools to plan a bright future for the region. He said the potential in our brotherly countries is enormous.
"With commitment, sincerity of purpose and political will, we will continue to work for the collective good of our people," Qureshi he emphasised.