Prime Minister talks about connectivity

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is now being recognised as a catalyst for trade, energy as well as infrastructure and transport connectivity of the entire South and Central Asia. Addressing the inaugural session after assuming the chair of 13th summit of the Economic Co-operation Organisation (ECO) and welcoming the guests from member countries, the Prime Minister spoke extensively on the importance of the regional connectivity for the benefit of the member countries and how strategic location of Pakistan and CPEC can be beneficial for Central and South Asian countries.
He regretted that the region with 16 per cent population of the world generates only 2 per cent of the global trade and has nominal trade within the ECO region as opposed to its trade with the rest of the world. The Prime Minister emphasised the need for sustained focus on the key areas of trade, transport and energy identified in the Islamabad Declaration. There is a need to strive towards transforming ECO's enormous potential into reality, he said urging the member states to seize this 'historic opportunity' and make this region a citadel of peace, progress and prosperity.
The Prime Minister said that no other project better symbolises Pakistan's conception of win-win co-operation through connectivity than CEPEC and wanted the co-operation not to be limited to the energy, transport and trade but also wanted agriculture, education as well as science and technology part of the agenda. The Silk Road provides a medium for exchange of knowledge as much as of goods, he added.
As the Summit marks the 25th anniversary of the Organisation's expansion, there is need to focus on greater connectivity and trade linkages amongst the countries for the people of the ECO region, he said and reminded how the region was once known as "Silk Road, a point of civilisations as well as a medium of trade, commerce and corridor for culture and ideas."
"Therefore, the theme of this Summit 'Connectivity for Regional Prosperity' is inspired by both our shared past and evidence of our commitment to a future of shared prosperity," he added. The Prime Minister said the ECO can be an example of regional co-operation as regional countries are already making investments in connectivity projects with oil and gas pipelines are linking the markets while rail and road networks are making connectivity. However, there is need to do more as Pakistan's strategic location at the crossroads of the Middle East has always been a value for the South Asia, Central Asia and its economic potential and its location and now increasingly physical infrastructure can help to achieve the common vision for making ECO a powerful economic bloc and an engine of growth.
He further stated that Pakistan has been pursuing a policy of peaceful neighbourhood with a vision of peace for development, and peaceful settlement of longstanding disputes would go a long way in advancing this noble goal. The Prime Minister also pointed out that without better co-operation on transport infrastructure among member states, trade cannot take place while efficient trade, transit and transport corridors across the region will guarantee economic development and prosperity of the people.
He said that Vision 2025 provides a realistic and achievable roadmap for accelerating economic integration and work for the common good of the people. The Prime Minister conveyed his deep appreciation to President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan for steering the ECO since the 2012 Summit in Baku and thanked Secretary General ECO Halil Ibrahim Acka and the entire ECO Secretariat for the support, apart from expressing his gratitude to special guests from China and the United Nations.
The Prime Minister also held meeting with the President of Tajikistan on the sidelines of the conference and stated that Pakistan would provide assistance of Rs 500 million for the people of Tajikistan affected by bad weather. The two leaders also discussed CASA-1000 project. Nawaz Sharif also held a meeting with President of Turkmenistan and discussed TAPI project operationalisaion.