President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized the need to build up Turkmenistan''s participation in the activities of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) "whose tasks and goals are consonant with the guidelines of the national program for social and economic development."

"It becomes even more important that the agenda of the forthcoming summit of the leaders of the ECO member states in the Iranian capital includes issues of trade, investments, transport, communications and some other issues," Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.

The Turkmen president made these remarks at a government meeting yesterday at which, among others things, a report has been delivered on preparations for the ECO summit in Tehran on 11 March. Turkmen leader will attend the summit.