Date : 06/11/2006
KUN0077 4 GEN 0291 FRANCE /AFP -GUD7
ECO-INDIA-AFGHANISTAN-CONFERENCE
India hosts regional Econ. Coop. Conference on Afghanistan
NEW DELHI, Nov 6 (KUNA) -- India will host the second Regional Economic
Cooperation Conference (RECC) on Afghanistan at Delhi November 18-19 to
strengthen partnership for the stability, prosperity and security of the
land-locked and war-affected country.
"The RECC was envisaged to bring together all the important players in the
post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan on to a single platform," Indian
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna told reporters at Delhi
Monday.
Nineteen countries, including G8 member nations, Central Asian countries,
China, Pakistan and Iran will participate in RECC, he said.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC), European Commission, Asian Development Bank,
World Bank and the International Monetary Fund will also take part in the
conference, he added.
The US will be represented by Assistant Secretary of State for South and
Central Asia Richard Boucher and Pakistan by Minister of State for Economic
Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki will
also be present at the meet, the spokesperson said.
A business conclave, organised jointly by the three Indian business
chambers, will take place in association with the Afghanistan Investment
Support Agency (AISA) during the same time, he said.
Regional cooperation for the security of Afghanistan and for the prosperity
of the entire region will be the focus of the conference, the spokesperson
said, adding there could be discussions on the proposed
Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline at the conference. (end)
dr.ajs
KUNA 061844 Nov 06NNNN