ECO Prepares Ground For Growth, Economic Development Of Member States

Tehran, Nov 25, IRNA -- Deputy Foreign Minister Morteza Sarmadi said Sunday that Economic Cooperation Organization prepares the ground for growth and economic development of the member states. Addressing 21st ECO Foreign Ministers Meeting, he said that ECO represents the value of collective cooperation in line with growth and economic development of member states. ECO is now more prepared for broader cooperation and taking advantage of potentials of the member states to bring about economic development which the region requires, he said. Sarmadi aid that the 21st ECO Ministers Council Meeting, to be held next Tuesday, will provide a suitable opportunity to identify the existing gaps and make decision to remove them. “ECO is now more in need of strong means to forge solidarity and coordination so as to support full-fledged regional cooperation,” he said. He called for close cooperation between the member states in key fields including the arena of trade within the framework of a single agreement, given the ongoing challenges. Referring to Iran’s supports to ECO in the past 12 years, the deputy foreign minister said that the backings are rooted in its firm belief in ECO and the objectives it pursues./end