In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful  

H.E. Ilham Aliyev

Honorable President of the Republic of  Azerbaijan  

On the occasion of 28 of November, commemorating the establishment of Economic Cooperation Organization and ECO Day, I congratulate Your Excellency, People and the Friendly and brotherly Government of Azerbaijan. 

Holding the successful meeting of 9^th ECO Summit in the beautiful City of Baku last year is an important turning point in the history of ECO activities.  

15 years ago, ECO was witnessed the valuable decision of Azerbaijan and number of newly independent countries of the region to join to this Organization. A decision which caused such a day could be registered as the ECO Day. 

As Your Excellency is aware, ECO has faced many challenges and been able to overcome them with the continuous support of member states.  Yet, to achieve its magnificent goals envisaged in the Treaty of Izmir, it has a long way to go.  

In the course of the ECO developments over the last two years, our hopes to boost the Organization to safeguard the objectives and interests of the nations of the region have materialized more than before. 

I am confident that with Your Excellency’s support the growing process of the cooperation among the member states in line with the interests of our nations will be more dynamic.   

The Islamic Republic of Iran, as one of the founder members of ECO and host of the Secretariat, is willing to use all ECO capacities and existing facilities for more and profound regional and bilateral relations. 

I pray to God for Your Excellency’s heath and success and prospect of the friendly and brotherly nation of Azerbaijan.  

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad President of the Islamic Republic of Iran