(Tehran, Iran) The Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour met with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif to discuss the issues of mutual interest, including connectivity and commerce in the region.
During the meeting, held on May 23, 2019, Dr. Soleimanpour expressed ECO’s deep appreciation to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the country’s continued support and kind hospitality as the host of ECO. The Secretary General also discussed with Foreign Minister on the ECO Regional Planning Council, the organization’s main technical planning body which is responsible for preparing policies and programs on organizational activities including trade, investment, transportation and communication. Their interaction also took into account the ECO’s priority areas as well as achievements made so far in 2019 on connectivity, commerce and energy cooperation.
Acknowledging the significant role of the ECO on enhancement of bilateral and regional cooperation, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that Iran attaches great importance to expanding relations with its neighbors on both bilateral as well as multilateral forums and regards the regional arrangements like the ECO as imperative to achieving such objectives. The enhancement of regional connectivity can serve as useful element to pave way for further and continued development in the diverse areas of collaborative activities, including trade and investment in the region, Mr. Zarif added.
The Foreign Minister reaffirmed his support to the ECO and Secretary General’s efforts with a view to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. The two sides reassured their commitment to work together for securing the objectives of their common agenda and addressing any challenges.
