President Aliyev opposed to ECO-BSEC merger

President Aliyev told the visiting ECO secretary general Abrurrahim Kovahi Saturday that he is opposed to the unification of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). The distinguished guest proposed to negotiate 4 issues, including setting up a north-west transport corridor initiated by H. Aliyev during the latest ECO summit.

Other discussed issues included development of trade relations within the organization, industrial privatization in ECO member-states and cooperation between ECO and BSEC.

Mr. Kovahi stated that a seminar on privatization would be held in Tehran shortly, with Azeri Minister for Trade expected to attend.

The President described all the issues on agenda as important, saying that the Azerbaijan party is interested in resolving them. He emphasized the importance of setting up the north-west transport corridor.

Co-op level hailed

Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev received the ECO Secretary General Friday, as the two voiced mutual satisfaction with the current level of cooperation and a hope for its further development, Foreign Ministry said.

Mr. Kovahi informed the minister of the upcoming seminars on small and large enterprise development and privatization in ECO countries due in Tehran shortly and expressed a hope for Azerbaijan's participation in them.

While in Baku, the ECO chairman has also met with the chairman of the State Customs Committee Kamaladdin Heydarov to focus on boosting cooperation within the framework of the organization. The parties have stated that expansion of economic cooperation, regional commerce, transport and communications would promote economic progress of regional countries.

In conclusion, Mr. Kovahi invited Mr. Heydarov to an international exhibition in Tehran in September-October this year.