ISTANBUL

Afghanistan’s interim Taliban administration on Friday invited the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) to hold its next summit in Kabul, according to a statement from the deputy premier’s office.

Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Baradar Akhund extended the invitation during his address to the 17th ECO summit in the city of Khankendi in Azerbaijan, urging the bloc to recognize the “legitimate political reality” in Afghanistan.

The statement came in the wake of Russia becoming the first nation to recognize the Kabul administration led by the Taliban, which returned to power in August 2021.

Akhund urged ECO member states to collaborate closely with a stable, dependable and cooperative Afghanistan to enhance economic and regional integration through sustained development and coordination.

Lauding Kabul’s “economy-focused” foreign policy, Akhund said: “We believe that the economies of ECO member states can only thrive if Afghanistan becomes an active part of this equation.”

He highlighted the importance of joint efforts in areas like trade, investment, energy, transportation, agriculture, environmental conservation and climate change -- fields in which Afghanistan stands ready to participate actively.

“The upcoming ECO Summit should be held in Kabul. We are fully prepared to host this important and valuable gathering and extend a warm welcome to all participants,” said Akhund.

Akhund reiterated Afghanistan’s solidarity with the oppressed people in Palestine. “The oppression being inflicted upon the innocent people of Gaza must come to an end without delay. We fully support the liberation of Palestine and the preservation of the Islamic identity of Al-Quds,” he said.

The ECO is a political and economic intergovernmental organization founded by Türkiye, Pakistan and Iran in 1985 to serve as a platform to discuss and improve development and promote trade and investment opportunities.

It has seven other members: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is an observer member.