The 12th conference of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) opened in Tehran yesterday. During the four-day conference, the participants from the 10-member countries will study and ratify the organization's agenda for 2002, with attention focused on the priority sectors of trade and commerce, energy and transportation.

The fact is that ECO, with its relatively long experience, provides a suitable framework for a regional market in line with regulations of the World Trade Organization (WTO), since it is based in a region that, given its rich natural resources, especially energy resources, and its excellent geographic location, has ample potential for cooperation and economic growth. Indeed, this organization has the ability to promote cooperation among its member states as well as with other regional organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Islamic Republic of Iran, as one of ECO's founding members, has always tried to help this organization achieve its main objective of more extensive cooperation among its member states. However, there are some major hurdles in the way of achieving this objective, which can only be removed through the efforts of all member countries.

First of all, ECO needs peace and stability in the region, as crises will act as a deterrent to expansion of regional cooperation. For instance, the instability in Afghanistan during the past two decades wasted a great deal of resources and hampered development to a great extent.

Fortunately, with the establishment of the interim government in Afghanistan, the crisis in that country is now over. This gives ECO a favorable opportunity to use the capabilities and facilities of its members in Afghanistan's reconstruction.

The ECO member countries should make the most of their Tehran conference by exploring avenues of greater cooperation, especially their participation in Afghan reconstruction.