RECCA VII: The development of coordinated approaches to solution of the Afghan range of problems

Turkmen capital hosted the meeting of the working groups of the VII Regional Economic Cooperation Conference of Afghanistan (RECCA VII), which forestalled the ministry session of Ashgabat forum on the next day that is to support further consolidation of joint efforts for the development of coordinated approaches to the solution of actual issues of Afghan range of problems and generally, to the promotion of economic integration in regional and international scale. 

Representatives of dozen of foreign states, which geography embraces Asia, Europe, North and South America, Oceania, 28 international organizations including specialized UN agencies and structures as well as number of non-government organizations and mass media take part in the Conference. 

As is known the I Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan was organized in Kabul in 2005. For the past years, this representative forum has recommended itself as an open ground for the discussion of important issues, which solution is aimed at the activation of fruitful partnership by consolidation of positive political dialog, stimulation and arrangement of beneficial relations in different branches of the economy. 

Having outlined regional economic integration as one of the priorities of its foreign course, neutral Turkmenistan initiates large projects in this direction, which meet common objectives of prosperity and sustainable development. Important aspect of this creative strategy, which is steadily implemented by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, is the consolidation of traditional friendly and good neighbourhood cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. 

Invariably standing for the regulation of the situation in neighbouring state by exclusively peaceful, political and diplomatic means, Turkmenistan renders actual support in social, economic and cultural revival of Afghanistan. It is visually indicated by constructive proposals of Turkmen leader given from the tribune of the United Nations General Assembly and other large international forums, which are aimed at the development of new mechanisms for the stabilization of the situation in this country, taking of steadfast measures for restoration of the economy. Large-scale infrastructural projects with the participation of Afghanistan are the concrete examples there. 

Greeting the participants, the representative of Turkmen side noted in his speech at the plenary session of the meeting of the working groups of RECCA VII that the mechanism of regional cooperation acquires greater currency at the current stage of the development of peaceful geopolitical processes not only as a tool of the expansion of economic cooperation but also as important factor in consolidation of the stability and security. 

“Comprehensive support of the efforts of international community for provision of peace in the planet, universal security and sustainable development is a key vector of foreign policy strategy of neutral Turkmen State”. These words of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov reflects the essence of the concept of integrity and indivisibility of the security developed by Turkmen leader that is put to the foundation of constructive initiatives of our country in international arena. 

As is known the problems of Afghanistan go far beyond the regional scale and affect the perspectives of sustainable development of entire world community. That is why, neutral Turkmenistan steadily upholds its position on the necessity of the development of non-military, political and diplomatic approach to the regulation of the situation in neighbouring state. Being an active member of the efforts of the world community in this direction, our country expresses the confidence that peace and security are the integral factors of the prosperity of the region and its nations including Afghanistan. 

In this aspect, Turkmen – Afghan cooperation is necessary to be considered in unbreakable context of wide international partnership. Reliable regulatory and legal base of interstate relations, which are successfully developed in bilateral and multilateral formats, has been established. The position of Turkmenistan is driven by the desire of soonest involvement of southern neighbour to region-wide integration, its joining of different projects what in its turn, will give an opportunity to start active peace-building in Afghanistan. 

Based on this principle, today, our country steadily implements number of large social and economic projects with the participation of Afghan side. There are the construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India gas line, Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Tajikistan railroad as well as power lines to Afghanistan and to the third countries among them. There is no doubt that implementation of these projects initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov would support further consolidation of social and economic component of the states of the region, which is the guarantee of the stability and security. 

At the same time, our country actively cooperates with the Government of Afghanistan in humanitarian sphere indicated by the construction of social facilities on the territory of neighbouring state – medical and educational facilities, trailing of Afghan students in Turkmen universities, regular humanitarian cargoes and other help. In this relation, the intent of Turkmenistan to continue rendering comprehensive support to Afghan nation on the regular base in accordance with elaborated special programme has been confirmed. 

Thus, current forum of RECCA VII in Ashgabat is a logical exyension of the efforts of Turkmen side in this direction as well as another actual step toward the consolidation and expansion of regional economic partnership. 

In his speech, representative of Afghan side, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mrs Adela Raz expressed sincere gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and to the Government of Turkmenistan for the hospitality, excellent organization of the forum and necessary conditions for fruitful joint work. 

It was mentioned that this Conference gives opportunities to highlight again the priorities of RECCA, which is a platform for the promotion of efficient cooperation connecting all countries of the region together. Today, there are big achievements in many aspects – in energy, transport, trade and other spheres of activity. In this regard, Mrs Adela Raz expressed the gratitude to all states, which delegations participate in current meeting of the working groups under VII Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan, for their important contribution to the development of beneficial partnership. 

Mentioning the willingness of the region to constructive dialog with all interested partners, Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan highlighted the importance of the Final Document that is to be signed by the outcomes of Ashgabat forum and would be the evidence of invariable commitment of the sides to regional and inter-regional cooperation. 

The representative of Afghan side has also expressed her opinion on the activation of coordinated joint activities for implementation of large infrastructural investment projects meeting common interests in order to achieve set targets. 

Having expressed her hope that current meeting of the working groups would make considerable input to consolidation of beneficial partnership, Mrs Adela Raz focused the attention on three new projects developed in tis year under RECCA and aimed at the expansion of the opportunities of women in economic partnership and entrepreneurship, at the foundation of RECCA Trade Chamber and stimulation of regional cooperation in science sphere. It was highlighted that realization of these projects is very important both for Afghanistan and for Central and South Asia in general. 

Speaking of the presence of large potential for dynamic development of the region and promotion of productive cooperation, the representative of Afghan side noted the necessity of further measures for economic integration what would also support the solution of topical social issues, establishment of the conditions for the development of new projects meting the goals of common prosperity and progress. After the plenary session, the meeting of RECCA VII working groups was continued in the format of subject sessions, during which the main vectors and key positions of steadfast development of the region were reviewed through the prism of the cooperation with Afghanistan. The perspectives of cooperation in such important spheres as energy and natural resources, transport and infrastructure, trade and investments, business contacts were the subject of the interested discussion and exchange of the opinions. 

The participants of the session highlighted special currency of creative initiatives proposed by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, which are to support the establishment of the atmosphere of national harmony, steady integration of the country to regional economic processes and solution of the utmost social issues in Afghanistan. 

Minister session of the VII Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan will be held next day in Turkmen capital. It is planned to adopt relative Final Document by the outcomes of work of Ashgabat forum.