Although ECO is fundamentally structured around economic cooperation, but it gives great importance to the cultural development of its constituencies. 

ECI engages in various cultural activities among them are research on the common cultural heritage of the countries of the region, publishing of journals and periodicals covering the works of eminent contemporary writers photographers, painters etc. It coordinates cultural exchange programs, such as visits of academicians, scholars, artists and students. ECI conducts various scientific seminars and lectures. 

We believe for our organization to be economically successful it needs to have a good understanding of its people. 

In a sense we are neighbors and as such there needs to be cultural understanding between the two Regional Organizations of ASEAN and ECO.

The cultural committee of ASEAN mainly carries out promotional activities and events designed to make people of ASEAN member states better informed about its developments, such as photographic exhibitions, art festivals in the form of theatre and music from various member states. 

The cultural activities of ASEAN are geared towards trade initiatives. 

We launch seminars and forums so that journalists, academics, industrialists and business sectors interested in ASEAN can communicate and exchange views about the Organization. 

Such seminars and events usually give the governments of the member states practical and useful feedbacks on public perception about ASEAN. 

Even though our kind of activities is not very similar with yours, and we have been mainly focused inwardly, but there are no reason that our two organizations cannot cooperate. We have initiated cultural activities out side the ASEAN Region, like the ASEAN’s photo exhibition in Japan.

In Bangkok Thailand we have a lot of people with “Parsi” background. In our Region there are great interests about Islamic history, like the cultural history of Iran, and Samarkand and Bokara in Uzbekistan.  

Considering the issues pertaining to our Region’s economic interests in ECO Region, like natural gas, petroleum, caviar, etc. we are interested to know more  about the “Caspian culture”. 

Malaysia, An ASEAN member state has extensive political development in the ECO Region.

Without raising false hope, I think we can initiate mutual discoveries about our Region’s cultures and heritages.

Upon my return to ASEAN headquarter I will study possible ways and means of our mutual cooperation. Possibly you could come over there and discuss these matters more extensively.