Economic Cooperation Organization ECO Cindy Tang Basics What

Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Cindy Tang

Basics • • What - intergovernmental regional organization, successor of the Regional Cooperation for Development (1964 -79) When - 1985 - present Where/Who - Iran, Pakistan, Turkey Why (purpose) - continue RCD's works; economic, technical and cultural cooperation among Iran, Pakistan and Turkey; socioeconomic growth in the region

Changes • • • 1990 - Treaty of Izmir modified 1991 - ECO became fully effective 1992 - 7 members added 1995 - Eminent Persons Group drafted and Council of Ministers approved 10 documents 1996 - restructuring, finalize basic docs

Documents • • Treaty of Izmir (Sept. 1996) - founding document, principle agreement Articles of Agreement of the Trade and Development Bank (March 1995) Agreement on Simplification of Visa Procedures for Businessmen of ECO Member States (March 1995) The Charter of ECO Cultural, Science, Educational Insititute (March 1995, May 1998) - provisions for development

Documents (Cont. ) • • • ECO Trade Agreement (July 2003) ECO Regional Institute for Standardization, Conformity Assessment, Accreditation and Metrology (March 2009) Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investment (July 2005)

Leadership

Membership • Members - Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Advantages vs. Disadvantages • • • Job opportunities Intra-regional trade Sharing of new technology Expedited traveling Cultural tolerance Forum for regional peace • • • Member states at different stages of development Lack of proper infrastructure and institutions Has little influence

International Impact • • • Builds amiable relationships among the member states o Provides Iran with allies Develops the region economically, culturally and socially o Growth opportunity for Iran Opens up member states to the global economy and market Develops the Iranian economy o Changes aspects of Iranian culture o Warms Iran up to the rest of the world o

Bibliography • Economic Cooperation Organization. "Economic Cooperation Organization: Brief Introduction. " Economic Cooperation Organization: Sustainable Socio-economic Development for People of the Region. Economic Cooperation Organization. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.