Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – February 17, 1992

Around eight in the morning, I went to the study office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet with the guests of the ECO Summit. [Mr. Erki Bayev], Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan came. He said that the president is a university professor who has no political experience in the past, and he himself is his academic colleague, and because of their cultural and scientific character, they pay attention to culture and the university. He said that they intend to cooperate with Western countries, Japan and [South] Korea, to use their facilities. He explained a lot about the situation in his country.

[Mr. Ayaz Motlab F], the president of Azerbaijan came. He expressed concern about the conflict with Armenians and claimed Russia's support for Armenia. Mr. Niyazov, the President of Turkmenistan and his entourage came. He explained a lot about the situation of his country. He expressed distrust towards Russia and its neighbors and demanded the passage of the gas pipeline from Iran to Turkey. He reported his talks with the US Secretary of State, who had conditions for the opening of the embassy and wanted to contact the opponents of the government, which he was unable to do, and said that Turkmenistan should mediate to improve its relations with Iran.

[Mr. Yoldashev Shaukat], Speaker of the Parliament of Uzbekistan came. Negotiations and requests for cooperation were similar to other republics. Then came [Mr. Gatayanov], Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. He gave us a lot of information about their situation and other republics. We had a meeting with the heads of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and the Russian ambassador. Iran's proposal to establish the Caspian Sea Coast Cooperation Organization was raised; After a short discussion, they all accepted. We decided to appoint a representative to compile the organization and statutes. I stayed there in the afternoon. Prayer, lunch and rest were done.

I had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and his companions. They seem very friendly and speak Farsi and ask for a lot of help in all fields. They are worried about the Russians and some neighbors, including Afghan corruption; I promised to cooperate; Everyone is grateful for the invitation to the ECO Summit in Iran.

We had a private meeting with Ozal, Nawaz Sharif and their companions to include the cooperation of the Muslims of Northern Cyprus. We reached an understanding and presented it to the members of Eko. The closing meeting was held. Representatives of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan spoke. Then the Ankara meeting report was presented. After awarding the awards and signing the documents, Nawaz Sharif and I talked and the closing statement was read.

The venue of the second and third summit was decided in Türkiye and Pakistan. After the meeting and prayer, I had a press interview with journalists. A group photo was taken with the leaders. We re-negotiated with the President of Azerbaijan regarding their military training in Iran and Dr. Velayati's trip there to mediate more quickly, due to their concern about the current situation.

Then, in the presence of the Ministers of Oil, Energy, Roads and Transport, Industries, Foreign Affairs and the head of the Central Bank, we had a meeting with Mr. Niyazov again, we discussed all fields of cooperation and the resulting negotiations and agreements were summarized. We decided to print their and Azerbaijan's banknotes.

I came home at half past nine. Efat had another meeting with Nawaz Sharif's family today and is satisfied with them. Gifts are exchanged.