Letter of Heydar Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the participants of the 9th Meeting of Council of Ministers of Organization of Economic Cooperation. 21 May 1999

Dear meeting participants!

I greet the delegations of brother countries –members of Organization of Economic Cooperation and representatives of authoritative international organizations and I wish useful and successful work to all of you.

This meeting held in Baku is an important stage of strengthening of friendship relations established among our countries and people in the result of centuries-old historical process. The multilateral cooperation among member countries of Organization of Economic Cooperation is of vital importance for peace and stability in our region.

Azerbaijan that became member of Organization of Economic Cooperation after finding of independence takes an active part in strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation and in large economic projects within Organization of Economic Cooperation, especially in those in the field of transport, energy and telecommunications. There is no doubt that this cooperation will give a stimulus to development of other branches of economy and will promote the well-being of population of member-countries of the Organization of Economic Cooperation.

I am confident that thanks to joint efforts and taking into account our mutual interests we will raise the level of our cooperation to meet the potential, demand and wishes of our peoples.

I hope that Baku meeting held on the eve of XXI century will be an important stage at the activity of Organization of Economic Cooperation aimed at progress and prosperity of our peoples.