VP: Drafting free trade regulations necessary for ECO
Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said that drawing up of free trade regulations is a necessity for the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), based on which the member states should conduct their trade.
The Iranian official made the remarks in a meeting with the ECO Secretary General Asad Majid Khan on the sidelines of the International Conference on Glaciers Preservation in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe.
Aref called free trade regulations, transportation, and advanced technologies as three key areas for expansion of cooperation between the member states.
Iran’s first vice president referred to some ECO member countries being landlocked, saying that Iran is ready to increase and facilitate member states' access to high seas.
Aref also said that Iran has made remarkable achievements in the field of advanced technologies in recent years and is ready to generously share them with the organizations’ member states.
Highlighting the importance of cyberspace in modern world, the Iranian official said that the ECO members are vulnerable to cybersecurity threats and are exposed to cyberattacks.
“We can pass on our experience in enhancing cybersecurity to the member countries,” the vice president said.
Aref said a broad agenda aimed at convergence and solidarity of member states, and resolution of their existing disputes should be taken into consideration.
“We believe that member countries should have a serious and friendly presence, not a competitive one, in order to attain ECO's goals.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to host expert and specialized ministerial meetings of the Economic Cooperation Organization,” he added.
For his part, Khan pointed to Iran's emphasis on the principle of good neighborliness among the ECO members and the importance of inspiring member states to strive for the welfare of regional governments and nations.
“Iran, as one of the founders of ECO, plays a prominent role in strengthening convergence and solidarity among its member countries,” he stated.
The ECO, whose members are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan, promotes regional trade and economic development.
Iran’s vice president also held separate meetings with Tajikistan’s officials, including President Emomali Rahmon and signed four cooperation agreements.
During the meeting with Tajikistan’s president, Aref said that there is no obstacle for further expansion of Tehran-Dushanbe relations.
Rahmon expressed his satisfaction with the growing relations between the two nations and emphasized the importance of swiftly implementing agreements signed between the two countries.