Kabul: 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.

According to Anadolu Agency, 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.

Akhund emphasized Kabul's 'economy-focused' foreign policy, stating 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, in which Afghanistan stands ready to participate actively.

Mullah Baradar Akhund expressed readiness to host the upcoming ECO Summit in Kabul, extending a warm welcome to all participants. He also reiterated Afghanistan's solidarity with the oppressed people in Palestine, calling for an end to the oppression of innocent people in Gaza and expressing support for the liberation of Palestine and the preservation of the Islamic identity of Al-Quds.

The ECO, founded by Trkiye, Pakistan, and Iran in 1985, serves as a platform to discuss and improve development and promote trade and investment opportunities. It includes seven other members: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus holding observer status.