A memorandum of understanding was signed between the ECO Cultural Institute and the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.
According to the ECO Cultural Institute, in this meeting, which was held virtually, the parties welcomed beginning the joint cultural cooperation to bring the nations of the ECO region further closer.
At the signing ceremony, Sarvar Bakhti, President of ECO Cultural Institute, said: “Afghanistan is the main member of the institute, which has many cultural commonalities with other countries in the region. Due to ethnic diversity in this country, deepening relations with various Afghan institutions means expanding relations with other countries.”
Dr. Davoud Moradian, President of the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies, while expressing satisfaction with the development of cooperation between the two institutes, said: “Cooperation in the field of culture is cooperation between the peoples of the region which will lead to regional stability and lasting peace.”
Under the MoU, the two sides agreed to cooperate in the fields of publications, seminars, discussions and scientific events, introducing the leading works of ECO member countries in literature, science, culture and art at the regional and international level, collaboration of experts and researchers on programs to promote mutual cultural recognition and the development of intercultural meetings.
It is noteworthy that the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies is an independent research institute established in 2012. The purpose of establishing this institution is to provide an intellectual space to address Afghanistan’s strategic issues in the wider regional and international arenas. Research on important national issues and launching discourses, various conferences for stakeholders, translation and publication of books and related scientific articles are among the most important activities of the Institute.