The ECO Secretary General, Ambassador Khusrav Noziri held meeting with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Chang Hua.
The bilateral interaction that took place on January 4, 2023 at the Chinese Embassy in Tehran featured discussion on issues of mutual interest, especially the scope and expansion of cooperation between the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to enhance their efforts for joint regional development.
Ambassador Noziri elaborated the history, vision, structure, policies, projects, targets and functional mechanism of the ECO, underlining some priority areas of cooperation, including trade & connectivity, energy, tourism, agriculture & industry, environment, parliamentary cooperation, etc. He also underscored the productive role and importance of ECO specialized agencies, regional institutions and affiliated bodies in the continued promotion of the Organization’s agenda of multifaceted cooperation.
The Secretary General also touched upon the ECO-SCO commonalities, priorities and targets as well as the BRI with those of the ECO, specifically in transport and connectivity sector. He called for enhancing the two sides’ cooperative relationship in all areas of common interest. Highlighting the leading role of China in the SCO and BRI, the Secretary General looked for the country’s kind assistance in strengthening the ECO ties with the aforesaid entities.
The development of various transport corridors, including the China+KTAI (Kyrgyz Republic-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Iran), preparation of a Plan of Action, exchange of visits and nomination of focal points were also mulled over during the meeting.
The two sides appeared to be receptive and forthcoming for further consultations in regard to promotion, development and strengthening their partnership in bilateral and multilateral context, as well as exchanging particulars of projects for joint cooperation in the near future.
