Conference discusses regional remedies for Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday called on private firms and countries in the region to cooperate in opportunities in the broader region to help improve life in Afghanistan, saying a democratic and prosperous Afghanistan will contribute to regional development. Speaking at the opening of the Fourth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) in Istanbul, Davutoglu pointed to the contributions of three-way meetings between Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan to regional development efforts in Asia, also stressing that economic development is a must for bringing peace to the region. Praising Afghanistan's democratic achievements, Davutoglu said the country could play a significant role in transferring energy resources, while emphasizing Afghanistan's geographical location in boosting trade through facilitating the free movement of people. Davutoglu added that Turkey has coordinated efforts within a regional framework for Afghanistan's development and that opportunities for cooperation must be used to mutually enhance trust. Davutoglu pointed to insufficient infrastructure, unemployment, and substandard healthcare as persistent problems that need to be addressed. Davutoglu also called on the private sector to become actively involve in solving these.