ZANJAN (IRNA) – Head of the Cultural Heritage, Handicraft and Tourism Organization (CHTHO) of Zanjan Province, Iran, said on Saturday the third International ECO-Silk Road Food Festival is to be held in Zanjan on May 10-12 with 16 groups from 12 countries.?
Yahya Rahmati said at a workshop organized by CHTHO that the goals of the festivals are introducing international healthy diets, traditional dishes of the participating countries, and Zanjan Province capacities for tourism. ?

The Festival is meant for showcasing the local foods by individuals/groups from the ECO Member states and the Silk Road countries, namely, Iran, Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Palestine, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, China, Republic of Korea, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.?

ICHTO of Zanjan Province and Economic Cooperation Organization initiated the ECO-Silk Food Festival in 2015. Investing on the 2015 and 2016 successful experiences, it is determined to continue this move on an annual basis in Zanjan.?

Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is an intergovernmental regional organization established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey for the purpose of promoting economic, technical and cultural cooperation among the Member States.?

ECO is the successor organization of Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) which remained in existence since 1964 up to 1979.?

In 1992, the Organization was expanded to include seven new members, namely, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan. The date of the Organization’s expansion to its present strength, 28th November, is being observed as the ECO Day.?