Dear Mister Chairman:

Dear friends:

I would like to greet you all wholeheartedly once again and note that during last three years, Azerbaijan has paid its efforts for the development of the Economic Co-operation Organization. We attach a special importance to our activities within this organization. We think that the strengthening of the organization and fostering of its positions in the region and across the world can bring additional benefits to each member country.

In the course of last years, we have attached a big importance all issues of regional co-operation. The countries represented in the Economic Co-operation Organization are united by the common history and culture. Traditionally, we had very strong ties between our countries and currently, such issues as regional co-operation, economic initiatives and integration have paramount importance in the conditions of this economic and financial crisis engulfing the entire world. In our turn, we are ready to continue our steps in this direction and particularly, are interested in expanding the co-operation in political and economic fields. The political relations between the countries represented in the Economic Co-operation Organization are at the highest level and we should try to enable member-countries to use our potential also in economic field to the maximum extent. In its turn, Azerbaijan makes important steps in this direction. During last three years, various initiatives have been presented in the Economic Co-operation Organization under our chairmanship. At the same time, very significant steps have been made in the region in the fields of energy, transportation and others at the basis of Azerbaijani initiative. Azerbaijan continues to bring its contribution to the strengthening of energy security. A new energy infrastructure created in the region by our initiative serve to the strengthening of energy security as well as bilateral and multilateral relations. In this respect, we can name both oil and gas pipelines. At the same time, we can note the implementation of the very successful and mutually beneficial projects with neighboring countries in the field of power energy. Today, energy issues are top priority in the world agenda. Huge natural resources existing in our countries should serve the national interests of our States. It should protect the national interests of our countries and of course, exercise its strong impact on the issues of regional co-operation. We should continue our efforts in this field in a coordinated way.

In the field of transportation, a very important railway connection project is being implemented with the initiative of Azerbaijan and our neighboring countries. This railway which is under construction will connect Europe with Asia. Currently, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan implement jointly this project. But, I do not doubt that after the commissioning of Baku-Tbilisi-Gars railway connection, other countries in the region will use also this new possibility because it is beneficial from economic point of view and will serve to boost our friendly and brotherly relationship.

In general, we should use efficiently the potential of member-countries in the economic field to the maximum extent. We should act in a way which enables to realize trading operations mainly with member-countries.

I can inform you that in the course of last five years, our country has made very successful steps from economic point of view. During last five years, GDP of Azerbaijan grew by 2.6 times; the industrial production has increased by 2.5 times. These achievements have allowed us to reduce significantly the poverty level. During last five years, the poverty level has decreased from 49% to 13%. In the years to come, we will strive to play more active role in the Economic Co-operation Organization, and I am confident that we will witness its excellent results in the future.

In order to solve more successfully all important issues of investments, integration, economic and regional co-operation, we need peach and prosperity in the region. Unfortunately, we do not see it yet. Various dangers, risks and challenges are present in the region. In some cases, it is not being reduced, but increased. At the same time, there is the big problem faced by Azerbaijan in last 20 years - the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the aggressive policy of Armenia conducted against Azerbaijan. In the result of this policy and the ethnic cleansing of Armenia against Azerbaijanis, more than one million of our fellow compatriots have been expelled from their native lands and became the refugees and internally displaced persons. 20 percent of our territory has fallen under occupation and it continues still. This is a big problem for Azerbaijan and an important obstacle to foster security measures in the region. At the same time, this is a big injustice. Azerbaijani position is being supported in all international organizations. The United Nations Security Council has adopted 4 resolutions demanding the immediate withdrawal of Armenian forces from Azerbaijan lands without any precondition. But, Armenia ignores it. Just one year from now on, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted another resolution on the situation on the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. Very important and just decisions have been adopted in the framework of the Organization of Islamic Conference. There are also other organizations which adopted the similar decisions. But, unfortunately, these diplomatic efforts have yielded no results so far. We cannot tolerate this injustice. I would like to express my deep gratitude to all countries which have supported the position of Azerbaijan and the justice during the voting procedures. I am confident that after the resolution of this conflict, we will have absolutely new situation in the region and new opportunities will be opened up for the co-operation and joint activities.

At the same time, we have to express very actively our attitude to all problems faced by member-countries of the Economic Co-operation Organization. All times, Azerbaijan has raised its voice to protect the national interests of member-countries in the international organizations and demonstrated always its solidarity in voting process. We have been always very attentive to the solidarity issue both in the Economic Co-operation Organization and the Organization of Islamic Conference. Azerbaijan is ready to continue its political support to friendly and brotherly countries.

I avail myself of this opportunity to express my respect and esteem once again to the heads of all member-countries, heads of government and delegations. I wish every single success to my dear friend and brother Mr.Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran in steering our organization during next years. I am convinced that the Economic Co-operation Organization will strengthen its positions in the years to come, and this serves to the national interests of each member country.

Thank you.

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