Establishment of ECO museums union proposed

Tehran, Oct 22, IRNA Establishment of a union of museums belonging to Economic Cooperation
Organization (ECO) member states was proposed during the meeting of
ECO tourism ministers held recently at Laleh Hotel, Tehran, said
curator of Iran's National Museum.

Speaking to IRNA on Tuesday, Mohammad Reza Mehrandish added that the
proposal was made with an aim of promoting regional and international
interactions and cooperation among museums of ECO member states and
introducing their cultures and civilizations to one another.

First summit of ECO member states was held in the capital with the
participation of 10 countries.

He further said that holding exhibitions of historical works of ECO
members periodically in their national museums has also been planned.

In this line, Iran's National Museum has announced its readiness to
hold the first exhibit featuring history and civilization of ECO
member states in 2010, he said, noting that the event can be held
every six months or annually.

Organizing such exhibitions can play a crucial role in strengthening
multi-lateral ties and introducing other countries' cultures and
civilizations, Mehrandish said.

ECO was initially established based on Ismir Agreement involving Iran,
Turkey and Pakistan in 1984.

Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan Republic, Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan joined it in 1992.

Development of inter-regional and extra-regional trade and improving
life conditions in the region, promoting economic development and
stepping up cooperation in economic, social, cultural, technical, and
scientific fields are among the objectives of ECO.


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