ECO foreign ministers adopt communique

The 11th meeting of the council of foreign ministers of Economic Cooperation Organization in Dushanbe, attended by Azeri foreign minister Vilayat Guliyev, heard the report by the council of permanent representatives and approved the Organization's budget for 2001, the report of the 11th meeting of the regional planning council and the ECO work program for 2001.

Addressing the meeting Mr. Guliyev said Azerbaijan was interested in strengthening cooperation with ECO member-states and participating in major economic projects being implemented as part of the Organization, including transport, trade, energy, and communication ones.

The Dushanbe communiqué was adopted after the meeting.

The Azeri minister was received by Tajik President Imamali Rahmonov, as the two spoke of bilateral cooperation within ECO framework. Mr. Guliyev also met with his Tajik counterpart and other delegations attending the meeting, MFA told AssA-Irada Tuesday.*