H.E. Ambassador Yahya Maroofi

Secretary General of the

Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) 

Excellency,

 

            I have the pleasure to convey to Your Excellency my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the ECO Day.

 

            Turkey, as a founding member, attaches importance to ECO and remains committed to the goals and objectives of the Organization stipulated in the Treaty of Izmir.

             During the past seventeen years, ECO has become a full-fledged Organization completing its restructuring, after the admission of new member countries in 1992. We are glad that the Organization has already entered into the implementation phase of its projects and programs.

             Efficient cooperation in the priority areas of ECO will greatly contribute to the development of the national economies of the member countries and facilitate their integration into the global economy. In this context, liberalization of trade among the member countries of ECO, gradual culmination of non-tariff barriers and implementation of the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) bears special importance. These are the significant steps to be taken to move towards establishment of a Free Trade Area in the ECO Region, as stated in the ECO Vision 2015 document.

             Through Your Excellency, I would like to convey our appreciation and thanks for the work and efforts of the Secretariat, and reiterate our support to the Organization.

             Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

  

Ahmet Davutoglu

Minister of Foreign Affairs of

the Republic of Turkey