In the Turkish city of Izmir was held a session of the Committee on management of the European Programs on cooperation for plant genetic resources (ECP/GR). Discussed were issues of defining priorities connected with the VII phase of cooperation on plant genetic resources, introduction of amendments to the structure and staff of the Net Coordination Groups, set up on numerous plants, the issues bound with plans of cooperation for the coming five years, with the sessions of the working groups. Azerbaijan at this authoritative event, passed with the participation of representative of the Council of Europe, World Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), a number of other international, regional and non-governmental organizations, over 40 European countries, was represented by director of the Institute of genetic resources of NAS, national coordinator on plant genetic resources Zeynal Akbarov.

Zeynal Akbarov updated participants of the conference on state of fulfillment by Azerbaijan of the National Program on genetic resources of bio-diversity under leadership of the academician, MP Jalal Aliyev, activity of Azerbaijan in the frame of European programs of cooperation, noted that the Republic will certainly hold one of the leading places in Europe in the field of genetic resources.

In the course of sitting, Zeynal Akbarov made a proposal on intention of Azerbaijan to accede to the ECP/GR Program as full member. Stressing the work done last years in the Country under leadership of academician Jalal Aliyev, he noted that to join the said Program there were undertaken appropriate steps. This statement was with great interest greeted by the participants, with unanimous support of the leadership of the International Institute of plant genetic resources, Azerbaijan was admitted as a full member of the ECO/GR Program.