IRNA reported on November 28 that Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhridding has met with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on the sidelines of the 15th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit.

The two reportedly reviewed bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Iran and discussed mutual cooperation in the region, especially within the framework of the ECO.

Meanwhile, the Tajik MFA information department says the 25th Meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers (COM) was held in Ashgabat on November 27.  .

The 25th ECO COM meeting; photo / Tajik MFA.

During the COM Meeting, the ECO Foreign Ministers reportedly discussed the issues of enhancement of cooperation in the priority areas envisaged in the ECO Vision 2025.  While acknowledging activities of the ECO and its contribution towards regional development, the member states delegation assured their consistent commitment and support for implementation of the ECO programs and projects.

Speaking at the meeting Tajik Foreign Minister Muhriddin highlighted the ECO's contribution to expanding and deepening cooperation to promote economic development and social well-being in the region.  The Minister took note of the significant progress have been made in these areas, despite the challenges facing our region. He also expressed that only through taking joint and coordinated actions and steps we will be able to meet these challenges, according to the Tajik MFA information department.

Muhriddin reportedly further stated that the decisions made at the 25th Meeting of the Ministerial Council and the guidelines to be given at the 15th ECO Summit in Ashgabat should give a new impetus to “our cooperation in all six priority areas, strengthen the effectiveness of our Organization, deepen and broaden the integration and coordination of efforts to achieve our common goals and address existing and potential challenges.”