Participants Of Eco Conference Appeal For Ratification Of Transit Agreement

Participants of the 11th Conference of Council of Ministers of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) appealed to member-countries of ECO to expedite the ratification of the framework agreement on transit, which was signed in Alma-Ata in May 1998. This statement is included in the final communique of the Dushanbe Conference of the ECO Council of Ministers, which was signed on Friday. In this document, the Council expressed satisfaction with the development of partnership between ECO and other regional and international organizations. In addition, the Council takes into account the importance of versatile transport lines for the economies of the ECO countries, and the necessity of filling gaps in existing highways and railroads. The participants were foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. Kazakhstan and Turkey were represented by deputy foreign ministers of these countries, and Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan by leaders of their diplomatic missions accredited in Tajikistan.