Pakistan joins with great pleasure fellow ECO member states in commemorating the 12^th Anniversary of the Economic Cooperation Organization.  This auspicious day marks the transformation of ECO from a trilateral organization into a larger, more dynamic one. It now represents ten important member states of the region, bound together in abiding ties of a common history, faith and culture.

            ECO has made respectable progress during the past twelve years. It has crossed important milestones towards closer economic cooperation. We have to continue our efforts, perhaps more actively, to fully utilize the rich material and human resources of our region. We have tremendous potential and must harness it for the socio-economic well being of our peoples.

            Pakistan renews its commitment to the principles of the ECO Charter as well as to its goals and objectives. We shall spare no effort towards achieving them.