In the name of Allah

H. E. Mr. Askhat Orazbay,

ECO Secretary General,

            At the outset I would like to congratulate you and your colleagues, the suspicious ECO day and the 12^th anniversary of the expansion of the Organization.

            In the Communications era and daily development in the expansion of the global trends, making efforts in initiating a regional integration is a proper breakthrough to exploit the advantages of these trends and as well to reduce the their negative impacts. I hope that the ECO Member States relying on the vast potentials of the region and the existing political will would expand their cooperation in the frame work of ECO and make major steps towards realization of the high goals of the Organization such as growth, development and prosperity of the people in this region. No doubt, achieving these goals requires more of will and efforts.

            Holding the 8^th ECO Summit Meeting last September in Tajikistan was another strong acclamation of the political will of the Member States at the highest level in order to have regional cooperation. This Meeting also set new goals and decisions to encourage regional cooperation, the implementation of which requires grave will and earnest efforts of all the Member States. In this regard, establishment of ECO Free Trade Zones by 2015, expediting the signing and ratification of ECOTA, and finally realizing the routine, facilitated conduction of the Almaty-Tehran-Istanbul cargo/passenger train, are of grave importance.

            Islamic Republic of Iran, as a founding member of the Organization, provides the assurance that as per previous contributions to the realization of the aims and goals of the Organization would continue to exploit all its potentials.

            I avail myself of the opportunity to wish your Excellency the best of luck and success.