In the name of God

H.E. Mr. Askhat Orazbay

Honorable Secretary General

Economic Cooperation Organization

I have received with pleasure your message on the occasion of the ECO Day, 28 November.  Reciprocally, I congratulate you and ECO Secretariat staff.  Commemorating ECO Day by its members reminds 13 years of persistent and generous endeavors of Member States and the Secretariat as well to reach the goals of the Organization, overall development and welfare of the people of the region.

Despite all previous efforts still there is a need to continue our endeavors to obtain the organization’s objectives. Today, ECO is on the verge of the operationalization of important agreements such as ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA), Transit Trade Framework Agreement (TTFA), establishment of ECO Trade and Development Bank and operationalization of container and passenger train on route to Almaty- Tehran – Istanbul. All these necessitate prompt efforts and initiatives of the Secretariat and the Member States as well. We must work hard to implement all approved programs agreements within the time frame already envisaged in the ECO Vision document.

I am confident that ECO Secretariat with Your Excellency’s able management will be able to work out necessary measures and initiatives to fulfill all programs and projects of the Organization within the approved time frame.

While reaffirming continued policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to promote economic cooperation within the ECO, I offer my government’s support of all efforts and initiatives of Your Excellency and the Member States to implement ECO objectives and I will not spare any effort in this regard.

I avail myself of this opportunity to wish you and your colleagues in the Secretariat prosperity and best wishes.

Manouchehr Mottaki

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Islamic Republic of Iran