KABUL (Pajhwok): Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member countries have expressed concern over the economic situation in Afghanistan, saying Afghans should be assisted to avert a humanitarian and economic crisis in the country.
ECO member states discussed the current economic, political and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan at their 15th meeting in Ashgabat on Sunday. No one on behalf of Afghanistan attended the meeting.
Afghanistan joined the organisation in 1993, but none of the members has so far recognised the newly-established Taliban administration.
Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman for the Taliban government, said no one from Afghanistan had attended the meeting in the absence of formal relations with the international community.
Iran ready to provide dull assistance
Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, addressing the ECO meeting on Sunday, said the assets of the Afghan people had been frozen at a time when the Afghans needed more economic aid than ever before.
The United States has frozen nearly $10 billion assets of the Afghan people since the fall of Afghanistan’s previous government on August 15.
The Iranian president said the ECO had contributed to Afghanistan’s economic development in the past and should continue to do so in the future.
Iran was ready to provide any assistance to the people of Afghanistan, particularly for the education of women and girls, he added.
Turkey’s concern over refugee crisis
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Afghanistan was facing a serious crisis and all should support the country in dealing with ongoing problems.
He said: “Immediate peace and stability in Afghanistan is important, as the country is facing a major humanitarian and economic crisis. It is our common hope and goal that the ability of the current administration improved enough to respond to all needs.
“We support efforts aimed at safeguarding basic government structures, such as health and education.”
He said it was important to support Afghanistan’s economic stability to enable it to prevent further refugee crisis in the country.
“Afghanistan’s economy needs to be improved to prevent a refugee crisis that could affect the whole region. Turkish NGOs have stepped up their efforts to combat hunger and famine in Afghanistan,” he said.
Regional peace important: Qureshi
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said peace and stability was important for the implementation of energy and transit projects in the region.
He said that Afghanistan should be assisted immediately for the implementation of TAPI gas pipeline, CASA-1000 and Termez-Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway project.
Qureshi urged regional countries to encourage the Taliban to form an inclusive government, respect women’s rights and take action against terrorists for full stability in Afghanistan.
Afghan officials say the current government is inclusive and further improvements will be made in the future.
They have affirmed their commitment to respecting human rights, including women’s rights, within the Islamic framework.
mds/mud
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