Iran accords priority to economic coop. with neighbors

Speaking at the 15th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Ashgabat on Sunday,  Iranian President Raeisi said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran considers a special priority for economic cooperation and partnership with Asian countries, especially its neighbours in South Asia, West Asia, Central Asia and the Caucasus."

The President emphasised, "Undoubtedly, strengthening the role and position of regional organisations as facilitators of bilateral and multilateral cooperation is one of our concerns and efforts, one of the clear manifestations of which is the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO)."

"In addition to enjoying the material features of power, such as the population of half a billion, the ownership of one-third of the world's energy resources, the unique position for Europe-China connection with the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, the young and powerful human resources, the ECO entails a privileged identity called Islam," he added.

"We are not only capable neighbours but also inheritors and at the same time promote a genuine identity emanating from Islamic culture that is able to lead the future of humanity in the brightest state and can also promote spiritual growth and vitality through the cooperation of all," the Iranian President noted.

The President went on to say, “Over the years, good achievements and progress have been achieved in the ECO, but there is still a significant gap between the successes achieved and the real capacities and capabilities of the organisation. For example, despite high trade potentials, intra-regional trade is still less than 10%."

"The Islamic Republic of Iran, as an important country, seeks to improve the level of cooperation in ECO and to raise the rank and status of this organisation in regional and international relations. We believe that there are effective tools for the promotion of the organisation that, if the efforts of the members are shared, can ensure the well-being of future generations in addition to the material progress of the countries," Raeisi said.

Referring to the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, the President added, "Now we need the collective intervention of member states to remove the destructive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic from the region and promote the relations and interactions between us with appropriate speed and with the help of experiences in the field of health and education and the production of medicine."

ZZ/President.ir