IRNA – 22nd meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers started in Pakistan’s Islamabad on Tuesday.


Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif is leading the Iranian delegation.

Earlier Zarif while speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Islamabad said (ECO) provides a unique platform for all of its member states and regional countries to engage in cooperation.

'We hope that during the chairmanship of Pakistan which will begin by the upcoming Summit in Islamabad, we can move the process of cooperation and integration among the countries of the ECO region and even further and enhance cooperation among them to a greater extent.'

ECO is a ten-member regional organization, which includes Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The council is expected to decide the ECO’s vision 2025; including the core principles of development, sustainability, regional integration and achieving a conducive environment for people of the region to realize their potential.

The Council of Ministers (COM) is the highest policy and decision-making body and is composed of ministers of foreign affairs or such other representatives of the ministerial rank as may be designated by the governments. The Council of Ministers meets at least once a year by rotation among the Member States.

The 21st Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers was held in Tehran on 26 November 2013.