DUSHANBE, October 17, 2012, Asia-Plus — Speaking at the 12th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon yesterday called for more cooperation in regional energy projects.
He also called on the OIC member nations to facilitate unimpeded movement of commodities, services and people, the Tajik president’s official website reports.
Tajik leader reportedly noted that member nations of the Organization could take the initiative on implementation of the project aimed at constructing power transmission lines, such as CASA-1000, gas pipelines, railway link connecting Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and China, etc.
Members of the Economic Cooperation Organization have met in Baku to discuss a wide range of regional issues.
Leaders from Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan — as well as representatives from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan — attended the summit.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai asked for ECO”s help in fighting terrorism. Karzai said Al-Qaeda, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and other terrorist groups are active in Afghanistan. He urged regional leaders to prevent the trafficking of weapons and other materials that could aid terrorists in Afghanistan.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari also spoke out against terrorism during his speech, specifically addressing the case of Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old girl the Taliban attempted to assassinate last week for speaking out in favor of girls” rights to education.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proposed creating a political forum within the ECO. He claimed that “the capitalist system and supporters of slavery and colonialism have come to the end of their history.”
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is an international organization consisting of 57 member states. The organization attempts to be the collective voice of the Muslim world (Ummah) and attempts to safeguard the interests and ensure the progress and well-being of Muslims.
The OIC has a permanent delegation to the United Nations, and is the largest international organization outside of the United Nations.
