Speaking to IRNA correspondent on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 22nd Meeting of the ECO Council of Foreign Ministers (COM) in Islamabad, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif noted the many capacities of the Economic Cooperation Organization, adding “since 25 years ago as all regional countries came together and seven more states joined ECO, there has been an appropriate atmosphere for good regional cooperation.”
He went on to add, “therefore, our expectations of the ECO and those in charge of it including the rotating president and the secretariat is that they make every effort toward the realization of the Organization’s goals which is the expansion of economic cooperation among regional countries.”
“We hope that Pakistani government as one of the founders of ECO will be able to play an active and effective role in bolstering trade ties among regional states,” he stressed.
Zarif further referred to the visit of President Rouhani to Islamabad on Wednesday to take part in the 13th ECO Summit as well as holding talks on further development of relations between Iran and Pakistan, adding “we have ample capacities for cooperation and many instances commonalities in cultural, religious, language and historical fields.”
“Iran-Pakistan’s cooperation in fight against terrorism and extremism is of high significance,” he said.
MS/IRN82447485