ISTANBUL - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''one of the most important decisions which was taken during the 8th Summit of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will participate in the activities of the organization under the title Cyprus Turkish State.''
Erdogan held a news conference on Tuesday on his return from Tajikistan where he attended ECO summit.
Erdogan said, ''during the summit we have discussed the activities which have been fulfilled since the previous ECO summit which was held in Istanbul on October 14, 2002.''
''In Dushanbe declaration which was issued after the summit, we have confirmed our faithfulness to principles and aims of Izmir Agreement which is the founder document of the organization,'' added Erdogan.
Erdogan noted, ''we have taken up economic, social and technological developments in our region and the world. Also, many issues including terrorism were discussed. New cooperation opportunities for continuation of peace, stability and security in ECO region were also discussed. Heads of state and government expressed the necessity of more active studies for the effectiveness of ECO during integration period of regional countries to world economy.''
-TRANSIT TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT-
Erdogan said all the countries were in consensus of opinion regarding putting into force Transit Transportation Agreement.
He also said efforts for establishment of Trade and Development Bank based in Istanbul and an insurance company based in Karachi were assessed.
Erdogan said developments in trade, transportation, communication and energy, which are the primary cooperation areas of the ECO, were reviewed, stressing that a decision has been taken to encourage private sector to join studies of the organization.
Stating that the participating countries attached importance to fight against illicit drug smuggling, Erdogan said importance of further strengthening of cooperation about control of drug trafficking among member countries was stressed.
Erdogan said a memorandum of understanding was signed during the summit regarding cooperation between ECO and UN Environment Program and expressed pleasure as Prof. Aysel Atimtay, the lecturer of Middle East Technical University (METU) Environment Engineering Department, was given the ECO Agriculture and Environment award.
Erdogan said he had bilateral meetings with Tajik President and the leaders of other member countries.
Erdogan said coming Ministers Summit and ECO summit will take place in Azerbaijan.
(GC-AY) 14.09.2004