ISLAMABAD The Chief Executive of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said his country was supporting plans and proposals for further activating the ECO.

Talking to the newly elected Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Dr. Abdulrahim Gawahi, Musharraf said: Pakistan wants ECO to be an active entity and supports the proposals of Mr. Gawahi in this regard."

"General Musharraf urged the need for expansion of the communication network, particularly on easy transfer of oil and gas among the member countries," Dr. Gawahi told IRNA.

He said the Pakistani leader also referred to the project of Iran-India gas pipeline through Pakistan and said that Pakistan was not only supporting this project, it was also assuring guarantee of the pipeline.

In response, the ECO secretary general appreciated the hospitality of Pakistan and thanked Pakistan for being the first country to pay its share for the establishment of the ECO shipping line.

He briefed General Musharraf about his meetings with Pakistani officials and also about the agenda of the meeting of ECO oil and energy ministers, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in coming November.

Earlier in the day, Dr. Gawahi held talks with the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Abdul-Sattar, who expressed pleasure with his election as the ECO secretary general and wished him success in his new assignment.

He lauded the decision of Dr. Gawahi to begin his trip to the ECO member countries from Pakistan.

Abdul-Sattar said Pakistan will extend every help and cooperation to the new secretary general in the realization of the ideals of ECO.

The ECO secretary general is presently on a four-day visit to Pakistan during which, he says, he will try to promote understanding with the Pakistani officials.

He also plans to visit other member countries of the ECO in the near future. Meanwhile, the secretary general of the (ECO) says political differences among member countries will not hamper activities of the group.

"We have to improve economic ties without considering of political differences," Dr. Gawahi told a press conference here, which he addressed at the conclusion of his four-day visit to Pakistan.

"Some member states of the PGCC and EU have also political differences but they are moving toward economic development," he added.

He disagreed with the idea that the Afghan conflict will hamper regional economic development.

About his talks with the Pakistani officials, Dr. Gawahi said they assured their country's readiness to play role in further strengthening ECO for promoting economic activities in the region.

(IRNA)