Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi attended the 25th Informal Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) on Tuesday, held on the sidelines of the seventy-third session of the UNGA.
The Foreign Minister, while recognizing the importance of the ECO platform, said Pakistan enjoys fraternal and brotherly relations with ECO member countries.
He said these relations can be further strengthened with regional connectivity projects. He highlighted China Pakistan Economic Corridor as a great example of connectivity.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said there is a greater need to initiate energy projects.
The Foreign Minister supported strengthening ECO Transit Trade Framework Agreement (TTFA), to act as a bridge between the North and the South, Europe and Asia.
The Foreign Minister Pakistan is upgrading its rail and infrastructure to facilitate smooth flow of goods with its neighbors.
He said Istanbul-Tehran-Istanbul corridor and the Pakistan-Iran-Turkmenistan rail link were being made functional.
Talking to a Republican member of the House of Representatives from South Carolina Joe Wilson in New York, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Pakistan desires a broad based relationship with the United States based on mutual trust and respect.
The Minister said Pakistan had successfully turned the corner in its fight against terrorism at a great cost of human life and resources.
He also shared Prime Minister Imran Khan's vision for a peaceful neighborhood.
Congressman Wilson emphasized the need for continued cooperation between the two countries for achieving their common objectives in the region.