Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Dushanbe (BNA): The fifth regional conference of economic cooperation with the participation of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan presidents held in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan.
The conference was initially addressed by President of Tajikistan Imam Ali Rehman.
He said that we are sure that such conference’s real steps will be taken for regional economic cooperation in Afghanistan and in the region.
He attributed lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan to the security of Tajikistan and emphasized on expansion of cooperation in this respect.
He reiterated that joint struggle should be launched against terrorism and narcotics and bold steps should be taken in this direction.
President Karzai addressing the conference said that attaining economic development is the vital goal of the Afghan government.
Today alongside efforts for restoration of peace and stability, it tries to become well-off economically and attain self-sufficiency and play a role that is proportionate to its natural humanitarian and geographical possibilities.
He added that for the objectives that we are striving is that one day we live a calm and peaceful life on the side of other nations. And it is our expectation from the world to assist us in materializing this just aspiration.
He stressed that by understanding this clear fact that we are giving priority to the regional economic cooperation as we have not refrained any efforts towards such cooperation.
He noted that any steps that we take towards development of our economy will also benefit the region directly or indirectly.
Our efforts towards lasting peace and stability undoubtedly are in investment that its outcome will be felt today or in the future.
We have opened our doors for trade exchanges and we try our best to prepare good grounds for regional trade and investment.
Fortunately, Afghanistan having rich resources and important geographical position in this region can play a significant role in materializing and expansion of regional cooperation.
Afghanistan as bridge in the heart of Asia can unite regional trade and transit.
Such a link and unity can change the face of the region and will assist our countries in realizing our humanitarian aspirations.
The TAPI and CASA01000 large projects will soon pass through Afghanistan, and this will bring change in the lives of millions of people of central and south Asian regions.
Afghanistan has resources such as cooper, iron, coal and precious stones can feed the region and world industries and bring considerable income to the labors.
The rail road that we are going to build up undoubtedly can bring considerable change in transport in this region and in transportation of goods to world markets.
President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardai said that Pakistan and Afghanistan have deep relations.
He believes that only in peace and stability we can strengthen economic development and that stability is a precondition for economic growth.
President of Iran Ahmadi Nezhad said that Afghanistan has rich resources and she is a talented land that with the help of regional countries can stand on its feet.
It is therefore our common responsibility to assist Afghanistan in different spheres and we should materialize our financial and industrial commitments of past meetings.
Iran is a neighbor of Afghanistan and she has also been on the side of Afghanistan and will continue to do so in future as well.
