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Pakistan
The Former Soviet Union
In November 1992, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, and the
five former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan,
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan created an extended Muslim economic
block linking Asia and Europe. As a result, the expanded Economic
Co-operation Organization (ECO), in terms of geographic territory
covered, became the largest economic bloc after the European Community.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif noted in a speech marking the
occasion that the ECO "now corresponds to the boundaries of the
ancient area, which brought prosperity and civilization. . . through
fruitful exchanges along the historic silk route. The people of
these lands have a shared history and common spiritual and cultural
values." Nawaz Sharif added his belief that extensive investment
in infrastructure and encouragement of the private sector were
the most important immediate objectives. He noted that Pakistan
was building a major highway network to link Central Asia to the
Arabian Sea and that its railroads were "poised to link not only
member states but also ECO with Europe, Russia, and South Asia."
He added that "peace in Afghanistan is essential for political
harmony and fruitful cooperation in our entire region."
Data as of April 1994
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