In the Name Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

 
          I would like to congratulate the auspicious occasion of 28^th November, the Day of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).

 
          This day commemorating the expansion of the Economic Cooperation Organization by accession of the new member states, is an appropriate opportunity to exchange views and reiterate the commitments and responsibilities of member states to implement the decisions made during the recent years specially the provision of the Izmir Treaty and ECO vision 2015.

 
          I hope that Economic Cooperation Organization which has been able to draw up the comprehensive framework and perspectives of regional cooperation during the last thirteen years, based on the common interest of the member states, can take further steps towards the realization of the its noble objectives outlined in the Izmir Treaty and other ECO basic documents. Finalization and signing of the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA), Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA), and establishment of the ECO Trade and Development Bank have paved the way for substantial developments in the regional cooperation among the member states. Today, member states should strive for the implementation of these agreements and other regional programs and projects within the ECO framework.

 
          I am confident that the current progressive climate supported by the political will of member states, with the active participation of these countries, will lead to further development of the regional cooperation and hence resulting in the welfare and prosperity of the people of the region.

 
          Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its endeavors to realize the ECO goals and objectives and is always ready to further enhance its mutual and regional ties with ECO member countries.

 
Mahmood Ahmadi Nejad

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran