The Project of Regional Cooperation for Development: Turkey, Iran and Pakistan Partnership

Regional Cooperation for Development Project is an initiative stipulating an economic and cultural solidarity established in 1964 among Turkey, Iran and Pakistan, which are adjacent to each other. Thanks to this union, the three countries have come together for the third time after the Baghdad Pact and CENTO. Supporting the Baghdad Pact and CENTO, the USA also welcomed the Regional Cooperation for Development. Owing to this cooperation, three countries were aimed at enhancing their alliance relationships, which were ongoing at CENTO, more and developing together. This collaboration is also one of the first examples of international organizations in the Asia continent. Being started in a highly assertive and enthusiastic manner, the project could not reach to the desired level due to different political and economic priorities of these three independent countries. Therefore, tens of meetings held within framework of this cooperation among three countries did not give certain results and numerous co-investments, which were planned to be made, remained on paper. This cooperation was intended to be revived with Izmir Agreement concluded in 1976 and approved in 1977 in Tehran and continuation of this cooperation under an organizational roof was decided and the Organization of Regional Cooperation for Development was founded. However, this effort was inconclusive, especially due to the regime change in Iran in 1979 and the ongoing problems in cooperation since 1964. The organization has proceeded on its way with name of Economic Cooperation Organization as from 1985. Economic Cooperation Organization has reached today by increasing the number of members in the process.

Journal

CTAD-CUMHURIYET TARIHI ARASTIRMALARI DERGISI

Year

2021

Volume

17

Issue

34

Pages

929-958

ISSN

1305-1458

eISSN

2147-1592

WoS UID

WOS:000754302500016