Energy projects in Turkmenistan and ECO Region discussed in Istanbul
16.10.2018 / İstanbul
Speaking at the Role of Energy Projects in the Development of the ECO Region & TAPI and Turkmenistan Projects Conference held at the TOBB Istanbul Service Building which aims to promote the energy projects in the region of Turkmenistan and ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization), TOBB General Administrative Board Member Halim Mete said, “ECO Region is the heart of Eurasia. This region is the bridge between east and west in terms of the economic, political and diplomatic relations as well as socially. Therefore, the development of the 10 countries of the region is very important not only for the region but also for the global economy.”
At the opening of the conference, in addition to Mete, TOBB Presidential Special Counsel Bahri Can Çalıcıoğlu, Indian Ambassador Sanjay Bhattacaryya, Pakistani Ambassador Muhammad S. S. Qazi and Afghanistan Commercial Attaché Abdul Qayoom Bassam gave speeches.
TOBB General Directorial Board Member Halim Mete pointing out that the Secretariat of the ECO TSO was to be conducted by TOBB in 2018-2021 and highlighted the importance of the energy issue for the region in his speech at the 16th General Assembly of ECO CCI held in Tehran on March 2017.
- The most advantageous region in the world
TOBB General Administrative Board Member Halim Mete stated that all energy corridors and all trade corridors between Asia and Europe pass through this geography. “Half of the world's population, 3.5 billion people live in countries with direct borders to the ECO region. 3.5 billion people we can sell goods to right next door to us.
We have to open up to trade between countries in the region as well as trade with the world. We have no choice. The way to prosperity is through trade. Trade means wealth. This is the era to buy and sell. You need to open your country to the world as much as possible. That's the way to prosperity. As a region, we have closed ourselves both to the outside world and to each other. If we want to prosper, we have to move very fast.”
- ECOTA emphasis
Speaking in regards to ECOTA, Mete said, “We have been unable to implement ECOTA. We cannot even ensure that all members are parties to ECOTA. For years, we have all been talking about the importance of these agreements, but we are unable make progress. We have to take action now. Obviously, we have a lack of knowledge or will. Let us not forget, protectionist policies do not increase the wealth, on the contrary, they reduce wealth. This is very important for our region.”
ECO Trade and Development Bank Vice President Burhanettin Aktaş informed the participants about the work of the banks. Presidential Special Counsel Bahri Can Çalıcıoğlu explained their evaluations regarding the history and work of the ECO.
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