TEHRAN – The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Cultural Institute (ECI)’s new president, Mohammad-Mehdi Mazaheri, took the helm of the office during a ceremony attended by the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Reza Salehi-Amiri on Monday.

The former president, Iftikhar Husain Arif, and a number of cultural officials attended the ceremony held at the institute, Persian media reported.

Speaking at the ceremony, the minister regarded culture as a wide and developed area and said that Iran has joint cultural roots among the ECO-member countries.

“We aim to reinforce this field since we believe cultural exchanges take place based on cultural commonalities,” he added.

He noted that the new president can help develop relations between the nations rather than the officials, adding that exhibitions of photos, books and festivals of films and sports can help achieve this goal.

Mazaheri also in his short speech said that he has accepted the position since he believes the ECI concentrates more on art and cultural elites.

“If we focus on world elites, the world will turn into a better place to live,” he added.

He also said that wherever there is more cultural exchanges, there is less war, and that he plans to expand regional activities of the members as one of the future plans.

PHOTO: The ECO Cultural Institute (ECI) new president Mohammad-Mehdi Mazaheri (L) stands next to the former president Iftikhar Husain Arif in an undated photo.

RM/YAW