Azerbaijan, Baku, May.6/ Trend R.Zamanov
The 23rd Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Regional Planning Council (RPC) kicked off in Tehran on Monday, the IRIB News Agency reported.
The RPC, held annually, focuses on the policies and programs of the organization, and evolves the calendar of events for the coming year, the ECO's official website reported.
New plans and programs are drawn up in accordance with the principles and objectives of regional cooperation as laid down in the Treaty of Izmir, as well as policy guidelines and directives of the Council of Ministers.
At the meeting, seven committees on priority areas of cooperation and service directorates will hold discussion on various activities of the Organization.
During the meetings, the RPC and its Working Committees will discuss issues of regional significance.
These will include such fields as trade and investment, transport and communications, energy and minerals, agriculture and environment, industry and tourism.
The participants will also discuss ECO`s Specialized Agencies, relations with regional and international organizations as well as the ongoing Programs and Projects.
The Calendar of Events for the year 2013-2014 will be considered in line with the new proposals and initiatives.
The Regional Planning Council plays an important role in promoting the aims and objectives of ECO.
The Council has technical committees to assist it in its task. The plans and programs endorsed by this RPC will be submitted to the 21st Council of Ministers (COM) for approval.
ECO is an intergovernmental regional organization established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey that provides a platform to promote economic, technical, and cultural cooperation among member states.
The organization was expanded in 1992, with seven new members - Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan - joined ECO.