Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 23 May 2022, for the first time, a brainstorming session was held at the headquarters of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Tehran at the level of deputy foreign ministers of the member countries to discuss the process of reforming the ECO, as well as the prospects for enhancing trade, economic and transport cooperation in the region, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry reports. 

The event was initiated as part of the implementation of the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, announced at the ECO summit in Ashgabat in November 2021, to create a high-level Expert Group to prepare specific proposals and recommendations for improving the activities of the Organization. 

The meeting chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Furkat Sidikov was attended by representatives of the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey. 

Speaking with a welcoming speech, ECO Secretary General Khusrav Noziri expressed gratitude for the initiative of the leadership of Uzbekistan to create a high-level Expert Group, which was supported by all member states and officially approved at a meeting of the Council of Permanent Representatives of the ECO.

"This is the first such event in the history of the Organization, which is designed to give a new impetus to intensify cooperation in the field of trade, investment, and transport."

The discussion was devoted to the issues of expanding intra-regional trade of the ECO, eliminating non-tariff barriers, working out a new Free Trade Agreement, developing transport corridors, and unhindered transit of cargo flows.

During the discussions, the relevance of the practical proposals of the Government of Uzbekistan on the development of an updated and comprehensive ECO Trade Agreement, deepening industrial cooperation, creating a Center for Trade, Investment and Innovation, adopting a regional strategy for the development of transport and communication links and expanding transit potential was especially emphasized.