Iran voices preparation to share knowledge-based achievements with ECO
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian voiced the country’s readiness to share its knowledge-based achievements with the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).
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Iranian FM in his remarks at the 26th meeting of the ECO Council Ministers (COM) held in Tashkent; Uzbekistan on Tuesday stressed importance of convergence among regional countries particularly after the developments in recent years.
“Covid-19 and its destructive effects, as well as the recent crises of food and energy security in the world, clearly showed the vulnerability of different countries, regardless of their economic capacities” he said and added,” Therefore, for all the countries of the world and the region, strengthening resilience against possible shocks in the future is not a choice but a necessity. Of course, one of the available choices in realizing this resilience is collective cooperation in the form of multilateral mechanisms."
ECO should promote intra-regional trade among members, Amir-Abdollahian stressed, suggesting that all members, and not just the 5 member countries of the Economic Cooperation Organization Trade Agreement (ECOTA), support the beginning of negotiations for trade liberalization at the regional level.
He noted that the current energy security crisis in the world and the region has clearly revealed the vulnerability of energy-consuming countries to unexpected shocks.
Climate changes and the recent winter cold also highlighted the vulnerability of some energy-producing countries, he added, saying that the ECO region can become a model of partnership between energy-producing countries and energy-consuming countries. "Undoubtedly, participation in the gas and electricity sectors is one of ECO's priorities in this regard."
Amir-Abdollahian pointed to the Iranian President's initiative at the assembly of gas-exporting countries, saying that the initiative can also be the basis for participation in the ECO region.
"Eco needs more investments in the field of new technologies, knowledge-based industries and digitalization of economic activities. The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to share its achievements in knowledge-based fields with ECO member countries," Amir-Abdollahian underlined.
Iran has always welcomed initiatives and proposals that lead to strengthening the role and position of ECO in the economic development of member countries, the Iranian top diplomat said.
