The 23rd Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was held on 16-17 April 2018 at Dushanbe-Republic of Tajikistan. The Meeting was attended all ten member states, three observers namely, the Turkish Cypriot State, the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States and Energy Charter Secretariat. The ECO Specialized Agencies/Regional Institutions/Affiliated Bodies and the representatives of the international organizations were present during the meeting. The delegation of the ECO Secretariat was led by the ECO Secretary General, Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca.
The Council of Ministers (COM) represents the highest decision making body of ECO and is composed of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member states. The Council, meeting annually, is primarily responsible for formulating policies, strategies and work programmes of the Organization. It has also the responsibility of reviewing and adopting the reports of the Regional Planning Council, Council of Permanent Representatives and ECO Specialized Agencies/Regional Institutions/Affiliated Bodies.
During their deliberations, The Minister of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the Member States also reaffirmed their countries commitment and support to regional cooperation.
The COM reviewed the activities of the organization since the last COM and adopted the reports and approved the administrative matters. The COM also deliberated on the substantial issues that have significant impact for the regional development and proper functioning of the Organization.. The “Dushanbe Communiqué” including salient points of cooperation among the Members of ECO as a regional organization in charge of significant regional issues approved.