The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation and the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) agreed to build closer institutional ties and explore new trade opportunities, signaling a push to expand economic links between the D-8 and the wider Eurasian region.
D-8 Secretary-General Sohail Mahmood met Bakytzhan Sagintayev, chairman of the EEC Board, at the commission’s headquarters in Moscow, the organization said in a statement.
The talks focused on the economic priorities of the D-8 and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), areas where their agendas overlap and opportunities to strengthen trade and economic cooperation within and between the two regions.
Mahmood outlined the D-8’s efforts to deepen economic integration among its members while expanding cooperation with regional and international organizations.
The two sides agreed to strengthen dialogue and develop cooperation between the D-8 and the EEC, with an emphasis on practical areas that could support greater trade and broader economic ties.
The talks came as the D-8 seeks to widen its network of international partnerships and strengthen institutional links beyond its member states.
During his Moscow visit, Mahmood also met senior Russian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko and Special Presidential Envoy Zamir Kabulov, as well as Kirill Babaev, director of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia at the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICCA RAS).
The meetings covered regional trade, economic cooperation, connectivity and closer institutional engagement, according to the D-8.
Mahmood's visit came at the invitation of Babaev to attend events marking the 60th anniversary of ICCA RAS.
The institute awarded Mahmood an honorary doctorate for his contributions to international cooperation and Pakistan-Russia relations. Mahmood said he dedicated the honor to those working to promote peace, mutual understanding, solidarity and international cooperation.
Founded in 1997, the D-8 brings together Türkiye, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan with the aim of strengthening economic cooperation among its members.
