3) Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) ™ xganizational Overview ‘conomic Cooperation Organization (ECO), is an inter-governmental regional organization established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey for the purpose of promoting economic, te al and cultural cooperation among the Member States. ECO is the successor organization of Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) which remained in existence from 1964 up to 1979. In 1992, the Organization was expanded to include seven new members, namely: Afghanistan, oa Scanned with CamScannerton Organizations & | leon. Pakistan Affairs Been. Kazakhstan, Kyrpys Republic, Tajikistan, Turkincnistan and Zovernmemege eOMIC Cooperation Oreanization (ECO) is a reyional 6 id inter Union mental hic wZttion which provides. a trading block like the Burapesn achieving its objectives y cultural eeghev ne Hts object 7 ECO's work-plan wa Prepared in three, countries nor Ait AS: The geographical situation of the panes) nly provi sian ee ite links for each other but alan connect the countries of coy ’ ral Aan aa to date are linked to ne setae es and by dev ‘ked, Central Asian countries Sea. » Persian Gulf throwgh fr 8 to these countrie: in Sea through ‘Ture an Provide access 110 Arabian 0 is ensio) main objectives enhance improvement in living and qual cultural harmony, and to provia improve _ Inter-regional infrastructure to link ECO al regional organization with the following feo omic development of meni Hty of life, improvement in order le assistance in scientific trade, Improve and techni transport and voantries with one another and world 2. we for Human resources progress, Initiatives for agricultural and ina development, Increased energy sour ces through application of na lew trade markets other tha ‘ources of ECO countries, tural of the region, Initiatives to find mn n ECO. Structure of ECO Situcture of ECO The structure of the ECO was di ganization. Different directorat levised and other important components of ites were formed under ECO: business agriculture, directorate for trade and investment, directorate for energy, min and environment, directorate transport and also communications sie oe ‘argets are categorized in three ways; Trade Facilitation Activities, Development in “gy sector and Improvement in transport infrestructire 4 aro hee Ssttutions and agencies to provide facilitation regarding and in this regard trade Eee ptade agreements developed among the ECO members ECO a ecenent COTA) Transit Trade Agreement (TTA), Transit Transport Framey Admitatration ‘ofa etc. Inthe fourth meeting of Cotinel of Heads of Customs Administration Ealing and Cy ffences Data Bank was finalized, This a Sree "by aihanisan, Paice aod Turkey during the thi Mister! Metng ne ‘ e intra-regional trade ‘ ommerce ign Trade. To expand int or trade among wor Trade Promotn inaaivern creating new opportuni States, e proximity ively close proximi relativel Vee ‘used to free the $ Asian countries Member countries a ; ae Tike. ‘They wet 7 have close cul Foie colonial regime in : ° livelihood but esi lonial period these "8ed these links, At a Scanned with CamScanner4 GRILL Affairs Resi ‘ = egional Cooperation Organizations & Role of Pl, abit reasserted these lin! resources, These et Almost all the member countries are ich in nay, 1998-2002 period trade i ave about 6.8 percent of world’s crude oil During rt touched USS 94.6 i increased and export of the countries reached a peal." promoted. By 6 billion in 2002. Among the ECO membe intra-ECO trade 1 . By 2004 to 2006 about 915 regional trade agreements were aces and 300 were in the pipeline. During first ‘decade of the twenty-first century fin, percent share of international trade was due to Regional Trade Agreement : Bilateral Trade Agreements of the members of the ECO. The regulatory frameon, was improved resulting in diminished tariffs in the region and attempts were ma to make the ECO region a Free Trade Area (FTA). Except a small ami products, duty-free import 1s allowed for i ECO trade strategy is based on follo = Trade Liberalization trade Facilitation Trade Promotion wTO Accession Private Sector CoO Regional Connectivity Trade Financing wing key pillars: peration eration A weememnts Y Economic Cooperation Trade A eement ECOTA) Atrade agreement called the Economic Cooperation Trade ‘Agreement (ECOTA) was signed among ECO countries in July 2003 with the specific ‘objective of removal obstacles in the way of inter-regional trade and to prove ECO region an FTA 2015. Under the ECOTA agreement it was decided that only ECO member countries would be beneficiaries of the agreement by not plocking or raising du on listed trade items. Presently, Pakistan's exports and imports are 1.3 billion and ly with ECO members. 1 billion respectivel VY Central Asia-South Asia Power Project (CBSB-1000) ation in the energy °°! In the thirteenth summit meeting enhancement of coopers was emphasized. Central Asia-South Asia power project known as CASA- 1000 W also initiated on May 12, 2016 in Tajikistan 1 the presence of prime ministers from Tajikistan, Kyrayastan ‘and Pakistan. Under this agreement Tajikistan 0 Kyrgyzstan will export surplus hydroelectricity to Pakistan and ‘Afghanis Pakistan is facing a serious ‘shortfall of electricity affecting its industry: CASA-1002 crisis and helP would, upon its completion, help Pakistan’ to overcome its energy boost its industry. ¥ Transit Trade Agreement (TTA) ment (TTA) was signed in 1995 during the third surnrait Merced from 2004. All member states of EC ‘This agreement was SI Transit Trade Agree! meeting and was ¢ Signatories except Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. a Scanned with CamScannery — Pakistan Ag the objective of facilitation of trade. According to this agreement all member countries were permitted use of all means of transportation such as railway: roads, sea and air for transportation of goods. Transportation of goods without jevying of duties was a significant feature of this agreement. In the 2017 summit meeting the ECO member countries initiated plans to become beneficiaries of CPEC. | Cooperation Organizations & Role of Pakistan a i aM i i A a st Scanned with CamScanner1) South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation | " Road to Formulation In late 1970s President of Bangladesh Zia-ur-Rahman conceived the idea that regional countries should make trade bloc to promote trust, understanding and friendship, For this purpose he wrote letters to the leaders of Pakistan, India Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan and Sri Lanka and explained the raison d'etre and necessity of creation of an organization for the countries of South Asia, After shuttle diplomacy it was agreed by the member states that draft of working paper will be developed by Bangladesh to generate discussion among, the countries of South Asia. For the first time foreign secretaries of South Asia met in Dhaka in 1980 ar dis ed the dratt Foreign Seereta oY South Asia again met in Sri w Lanka in 1981 and marked five areas of cooperation. Foreign Secretaries of South Asia met again in New Delhi in 1983 and confirmed the areas of cooperation which were proposed and discussed in Colombo. Finally South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in Dhaka in December 1985 in the summit meeting of South Asian Head of States with its Secretariat in Kathmandu * Qbjectives of SAARC The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sr Lanka is a dynamic institutionalized regional cooperation in South perceived as an economic grouping to work together for accelerating the pace of socio-economic and cultural development. ‘The objectives of the association as defined in the SAARC Charter are: * To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia; * To contribute to develop mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's problem; , * To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields; * To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries; , * To strengthen cooperation among theniselves in international forums on matters of common intere: Sl * To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes. lastitutional Fi ale v The Summit Th 5, +, " forge aanit has clearly emerged as the highest decision-making ination of the SAARC in the realm of regional cooperation. ‘The Artic \ basically Scanned with CamScanner1 Debating SAaARG Ineg, f v Amending Charte, °° Issues ~SSib] SAARC is a victim of two jr, game members believe that Without ae. Uetion without providing for any mechani Achieving 5, to expect meaningful progress ; 8m to and would prefer the char extent, Sri Lanka also sees merit in ; fa modify the provisions of the charter the 7 meetings. Expressing reservations about th, President Kumaratunga of Sri Lanka remarked though contentious issues must be kept ae fh S ‘egional cooperation without some kind of political en SAARC's def ra tame’. Pakistan strongly favors amending the SAARC chenliation will be todiscuss bilateral issues, " Teconcila : rath arter to make it Possible ¥ No Room for Bilateral Discussion Incontrast, India i teadfastly against any change in the present arrangement. It ‘es no reason for amending the charter and is convinced that more harm than Sood will result from any alteration of the provisions that forbid the inclusion of ‘ontentious issues, Bangladesh is also of the same view and is opposed to the ‘mendment of the charter to allow discussions on bilateral matters. Despite these 8 Positions on the charter, SAARC occasionally uses a looser La ‘scuss bilateral problems. The ‘retreats’ that occur during pam ae = been used, from time to time, to address some of the iF hate also been weber States. Bilateral meetings on the side lines of sa emperature such md for this Purpose. They have occasionally helped lower vtiement of disputes ‘ter the 1998 nuclear explosions, even if no comer ave mainly acres “iam ‘ed in the process. However, thus far the ree political °F. a 7 “iy functional issues rather than any 1 SAARC pas been limitec: Me. 89 ‘ven in this regard the effectiveness © i: Scanned with CamScannerFor a long time, South A when most regions could bo: or security. This glari create a regional bod: a means to lift th effort was not cons! pol of some of the South Asi regions, such as Pakis ia. Since they graphical ple due to the initiative of lead. At foru nat behi ues that be nd the regional initiative us to Indian interests. ARC. India’s disenchantment ‘sion of regionalism clashes tion to be the driving relations wit jurked an unseen €%! Hence India was luk SAARC continues tO day is that of its rival Pakistan. Ind rs economic coopera’ of regionalism. TI b f conviction that if economically, which it can b on India’s economic grow conflicts would gradu: lose steam and this in turn will allow regional states 19 focus on development. While mo: SAARC members appreciate this economic log, Pakistan is not wholly persuaded by 1, Pakistan argues that unless political issues pre resolved, economic cooperation will not i eeterialize. This has led to an impass Sensing the impossibility of bringing about a change in the situation India has turned its attention away from SAARC to other trans-regional forums. Nov has a vibrant economy’ it is being x eed by countries outside its regio? an India’s interest in SAARC has proportionately dropped. This is indicated by growing economic ties with its neighboring Southeast Asian and East Asiat region’ ities C’s bugbear. In term pmparison ©. Distribution of Indo-centrism, has been SAAR .d economy India is a giant in ¢ « Asymmet Asymmetry, compounded by of its physical size, population, anS. Asymmetry has cast its long shadow on intra-regional relations in South sia. India’s sheer size is seen as dominance whether or not it behaves in that fashion. It is often pointed out by India’s neighbors that its role is critical for the success of regionalism but only if it adopts a benign, low-profile style of functioning, A range of perceptions about India’s regional role dominates the debate in South Asia. India’s critics plainly see it as overbearing with no consideration for its weaker neighbors’ well-being. A slightly nuanced view holds that India is not uniformly inconsiderate but nonetheless comes across as a bully This is seen as being ultimately harmful to own its interests because it is felt that without securing the region India’s quest for global power status is unachievable. Therefore, New Delhi's neighbors want it to be broadminded and generous and to follow a policy of benign unilateralism, which would better serve its own cause and earn the trust of the smaller states, * Extya-Regional Actors as Constraining Factors India’s size and the anxiety it evokes have led to divergent views on security among regional states. A common threat perception has been lacking in the region and the main source of threats has been perceived to emanate from within the region itself. In fact, India is perceived to be the major threat. This has led regional states like Pakistan, and also occasionally Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, to seek the help of outside powers to ensure their security, thereby allowing extra-regional actors to penetrate the region. India has found this highly intrusive and harmful to its strategic interests and regional order. " Lack of Leadership Interest SAARC is not a priority for South Asian states and apart from the enthusiasm shown by President Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh, who initiated the move for cooperation in the 1980s that led to its creation, no other leader of consequence has propelled the organization forward. This is the case even now, and therefore SAARC continues to languish. A Nepali scholar on regionalism blames South Asian lites for purposely widening the rift between the member states beams of Xenophobic considerations’ and their desperation to ‘mobilize their support ase or play to the galleries’, which harms the environment for cooperation and the Success of regionalism. Use of Force as an Instrument of Foreign Policy e the use of force is still an SaaRe, jon wher I , on the other hand, encompasses a regi a *strument of foreign policy. SAARC's presence has not prevented ee eae tess setied or resolved them. Regional cooperation is ata very dinette aise 'n South Asia. Conflict management of even a eae erate Fsent. South Asia is yet to cross the Rubicon ani ae eee f ’8h to build trust among its use of force is still an instrument 0 iS , *eposal of Restructurin ecurity paradigm can best grow Matto joni st BroN nd 5 onal experience shows that the regional s y Pi ic facilitated Us i framewor! Stain under a cooperative, comprehensive and holistic 13h Scanned with CamScanner1 Organizatig ¢ ) Dion | Sociation for Regional Cooper he ed to a meet, greet and depart ft ® sive, cooperati inclusive security paradigm. For the pipes qabroach to conflict-resolution, SAARC choulé be brah revived and yet SAARC Ch, 2 ‘arter needs to be expanded Recommended framework is as follows: v nd redefined with the Tegionay Th ional seq South Asia Secur: ity Dialogue (SASD) line with ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Sout h Asia sho le platform of SAARC. SAS SAsp; D should involve all SAARC states as mem a S, EU and China as facilitators. SASD sho ud primarily wor impending territorial and non-territorial disputes in the re Should consist of various working groups (WGs) for each dis issues should be discussed, debate: involving officials, civil society rep: formulate their recommendations TK to reg gion. This ins ute in the region « d and dialogued at working BTOUDS’ er Tesentatives and global enablers, WGs shat for the policy level. In case of intersety between two or more issues, joint working groups may be forme The pro dependent on the political will of the leadership. Hence. if one iestieie not reso it should not cast back on resolution of the other issttes. If SASD funétions in with the spirit of this proposal, it would help resol graduated manner. v Ive titty ine the regional disputes ina South Asia Nuclear Dialogue (SAND Bouts dsia Nuclear Dialogue (SAND) SAND should be established as a consequence to the SAARC in line with Siso pith same membership and facilitation level. SAND should first help India an Pakistan to work on nuclear risk reduction and nuclear-cum-mivaile restnt measures. Then, it should work to persuade the two nations on maint ance of minimum credible deterrence rather than maximum possible deterrence. If SiS) succeeds in resolving major disp utes in South Asia, especially between India att Pakistan, SAND should work on de-nuclearization of the region. Y Gonventional Arms Reduction Dialogue (CARD) Conventional arsenals of all South Asian countries are swelling with each tick the-click. Likewise, against the global winds of reduction in the size of stat ie armies, South Asians are moving uphill. Major share of the defence bude consumed either on manpower related administrative aspects or production purchase of military hardware. Certainly, India shares greater burden duc 0 should India-centric disputes and security paradigm in the region, CARD, which show be composed and organized in line with SASD and SAND, should work wi states of the region on reduction of conventional arms as well as manpow®? states would, thus, be able to diver em defenee rt the capital spared by reduction in dele! budgets to address the human security issues, Scanned with CamScannern Parliament (SAP) uth Asian Parliament (SAP) may be considered as an organ of RC. It may comprise equal number of members from all eight countries of the n. Ten members from each state is a respectable figure. The membership may ans, intellectuals, media persons, lawyers and experts in different fields. Speakership of SAP should revolve between the member states on biannual basis, This means that the turn of each country would come after four and mandate of SAP should be to provide an interactive forum, il forum for exchange of ideas and proffer recommendations to 's on important issues of mutual interest. sed on ex parliamentai ling Measures (CBMs) S at the level of state are of utmost importance for the purpose of creating a dialogue-supportive environment based on mutual-trust, CBMs are to be initiated le the proceedings of SAARC, SASD, SAND and CARD. A number of ures may be initiated by the states. Key ones are: relaxation of visa Fequirements for movement of people within the region; visa-free movement of the People of Kashmir on either side; setting free each other’s prisoners as a good will; issuance of friendly rather than inflammatory statements by national leaders, tangible cessation of interference in each other's affairs and reduction of forces on borders, In case of India-Pakistan relations, India has always talked of CBMs, ‘hich would consequently cultivate environment for dialogue on major issues including the core issue of Kashmir. It is considered that talks on the territorial disputes are the biggest leap on the way to confidence building and mere “people- ‘o-people” gestures as often advocated by India can be of no use. Y People-to: ‘People Contacts (PPC) PPC at the level of societies would help cleanse the stains of historical memories and reduce tension, Inter-parliamentary commissions and dialogues, and forums ctinteraction between the people from various walks of life e.g, investors, traders, audents, media persons, academics and Mtellectuals will be of the essence in this (82rd. People will certainly seek to concentrate sart™@n security rather than the traditional comgeetttity. Eventually, this would work as a Blimentary axis of conflict resolution. ’ ‘ Multi-tracked Diplomacy (MTD) an 1 helped in easing up tension in South ®onyey (ME Past. A host of models may be other jg it Put into action on the sidelines of fons nti¥es. It could take the shape as te tipi 1, state-to-state meets between Pema tS and officials; Track-2, regional "eionay ees involving more than one (or States; Track-3, _ societal al im A Scanned with CamScannerOrt 00heration Organizations p €Nigagement involvin ae cs Hi th global enablers j Se cl 80 in Track-1 or 20 Y Intra-Region Trade Intra-region trade j AFTA), which coul ciety Tr com! in South Asia is abysmally low. South Asian Free tra } d have been the greatest success of SAARC, ise Security moorings of the SAARC membe The states have, hy de agreements withi trade. SAFTA should not only but should also be put to work on either bilateral/ pr depending on extra-re gional by all SAARC membe. universal definition of fre 'n the regio, as i | signed ang into action in keeping t should be taken as a comprehens \y he duty-free flow of goods across the by ld also involve provision of investment opportunities and jour, OF are ders d free moyy Human Security under all Circumstances is imperative for the South Asian le enda that the people © human adership to agree t would remain a priority under spects would not least one fundamental ali circumstances and that e interfered with even during wake and societies closer. The human ; inter-state transfer of care including combating nagement; food security; river ‘n the states; and resolution of ethnic experience; trade; epidemics; environmental se water-sharing treaties and discords. v South A; Literacy Commission (SALC) iliteracy is the worst human security challenge faced by South Asia. To combat illiteracy at regional level so as to complement the efforts of the states, a recommended to institute SALC under the auspices of SAARC. It should be form i 5 id as an independent body and should have its membership based on repute’ educationists. The governments should only be interacting with SALC for the purpose of funding and facilitation, and should have no role in its proceeding SALC should be monetarily supported by. South Asia Literacy Fund sale subsidiary established for the purpose, the management of which should flit the realm of SALC. The Commission should launch a targeted campaign agus F illiteracy opening area-specific SALC institutions including at least one world ¢ ns | Eniversity in each country with teaching staf from all member states but studeM from the host country. SALC technical institutes should be established im * member states in keeping with the requirements of host state. It should Pe establish elementary education institutes in the areas with high illiteracy a Later, the spheres of its activities may be expanded by establishing Te universities and institutes. SALC should also be utilized as a forum for in a movement of students for studying in public and private institutions of any member country. and literacy; h curity and disaster n greements bet Scanned with CamScanner