On behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan, I wish to convey sincere felicitations to the ECO family of nations on the auspicious occasion of the: fourteenth anniversary of ECO expansion. Centuries old ties of culture, commerce and common faith link our peoples in an abiding bond of kinship. By bringing them together on a single platform ECO fulfills an historic need.

On this day, we renew our collective resolve to transform ECO into a more powerful tool for regional integration geared towards economic development of the region, and the uplift of its masses. We have to work together to make ECO an effective organization, better able to meet contemporary challenges. The successes ECO has scored so far generate confidence in its ability to successfully navigate the future.

I would like to avail this opportunity to reiterate Pakistan's abiding commitment to ECO, and to wish ECO continued success in the pursuit of its objectives.