BAGHDAD -- Iraq has been invited to join the 10-member Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) at its 10th summit in Tehran, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports.
Iraqi Ambassador to Iran Muhammad Majid al-Sheikh told RFI that Baghdad has not yet decided whether to accept the membership offer. He said Iraq must consider the ECO's objectives and potential benefits of membership.
Al-Sheikh said Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is attending the ECO summit as a guest of honor.
The ECO is an intergovernmental regional organization established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey to promote economic, trade, and cultural cooperation.
It has since expanded to include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.