Summary The meeting will focus on regional trade, energy cooperation, transport connectivity and a joint strategy to link Central Asian countries with global markets
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The two-day meeting of foreign ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) will begin in Islamabad today (Sunday), with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar set to chair the session.
The meeting will focus on regional trade, energy cooperation, transport connectivity and a joint strategy to link Central Asian countries with global markets.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will also attend the meeting, while Tahsin Ertugruloglu, foreign minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, has already arrived in Islamabad.
According to sources, foreign ministers from several member states, including Tajikistan and Iran, will participate in the meeting. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan will be represented by their deputy foreign ministers, while Türkiye will also send its deputy foreign minister. Afghanistan's foreign minister has not been invited to attend the meeting.
Ishaq Dar will address the inaugural session, which will also be attended by ECO Secretary-General Asad Majeed Khan and foreign ministers from member states.
Discussions will cover ways to strengthen economic and trade ties among member countries, improve regional connectivity, expand cooperation in the energy sector and upgrade transport infrastructure.
The visiting foreign ministers are also expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. A luncheon will be hosted in their honour during the visit.
The ECO comprises 10 member states and three observers. The Islamabad meeting is being viewed as an important opportunity to explore new avenues for regional economic cooperation and strengthen trade links among member countries.
