TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for stronger regional security and cooperation at the opening of the 4th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Interior Ministers Meeting here Tuesday, emphasizing that stability is a prerequisite for economic development.
The summit, convened after a 15-year hiatus, brought together interior ministers and senior officials from Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. ECO Secretary-General Asad Majid Khan, along with officials from Oman and Iraq, attended as guests.
Opening the session, Pezeshkian described the resumption of the ECO meeting as a signal of renewed commitment among member states to strengthen cooperation across economic, security, and administrative sectors. 
“After a long hiatus, holding the 4th ECO Interior Ministers Meeting demonstrates the shared resolve of member states to deepen coordination in areas of mutual interest,” he said.
Pezeshkian stressed that interior ministries play a central role in providing the stable administrative and security frameworks necessary for regional economic collaboration. 
“Success in regional economic cooperation requires, among other things, solid, predictable, stable, and resilient common frameworks and platforms,” he said. “The interior ministries are pivotal in ensuring these prerequisites are met.”
He highlighted the challenges faced by the ECO region, including illegal migration, drug trafficking, human smuggling, terrorism, and other forms of organized crime. According to Pezeshkian, effective regional cooperation and economic integration are only possible if these threats are addressed through coordinated action.
A major point in Pezeshkian’s remarks was the proposal to establish a joint regional police force, tentatively called “ECO Police” or “ECOPOL.” He noted that the ECO region is one of the few in the world without a shared law enforcement institution, which limits cooperation on cross-border crime and complicates coordination with international policing organizations.
“The absence of a unified police force in the ECO region represents a critical gap in our collective security infrastructure,” Pezeshkian said. 
“Establishing ECOPOL would enhance our capacity to combat organized crime, human trafficking, and other transnational threats, while facilitating cooperation with other regional and international law enforcement bodies.”
In addition to law enforcement, Pezeshkian highlighted judicial cooperation as a key element for ensuring that economic and security collaborations are effective. He called for mechanisms to harmonize legal frameworks, share information, and coordinate actions across member states to strengthen the rule of law in the region.
Pezeshkian also reflected on the broader historical and geopolitical context, emphasizing that the ECO region has long faced external pressures and interventions. 
“Our region has witnessed significant foreign interventions in recent history,” he said. “It is imperative that we establish a security architecture that is coherent, stability-creating, and development-oriented, rooted in our own capacities and aspirations.”
The Iranian president described the ECO as “the heir to decades of effort, synergy, and persistence by member states for economic convergence.” While the organization has achieved important milestones, he said, significant untapped potential remains. 
Pezeshkian pointed to the recent summit of ECO leaders in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, and the upcoming “ECO Vision 2035,” which aims to provide a strategic roadmap for regional economic integration and development.
Beyond security, Pezeshkian highlighted the role of local governance and urban diplomacy in strengthening regional ties. He encouraged initiatives such as sister city partnerships, municipal exchanges, and cross-border infrastructure projects as avenues for fostering economic and cultural collaboration.
Pezeshkian also noted emerging security challenges, including crimes involving artificial intelligence, cyber threats, and other technology-driven risks. He emphasized that the ECO must adopt coordinated strategies to anticipate and mitigate these new threats.
In closing, Pezeshkian reiterated that the region’s stability and economic prosperity depend on cooperation across multiple domains, from law enforcement to governance. 
“The ECO is a valuable platform for dialogue, exchange of experiences, and solidarity in all areas,” he said. “By working together, we can build a prosperous and secure future for our peoples.”
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, speaking to reporters after the meeting, reinforced Pezeshkian’s message, stressing that Iran is committed to strengthening relations and expanding economic cooperation with ECO member states. 
“Iran’s firm policy is to enhance relations and develop economic interactions with ECO countries,” he said.
Momeni praised the high-level participation at the Tehran summit, noting that beyond the ten member states, Iraq, Oman, and several international organizations also attended. 
“The content of the discussions reflected a strong convergence of views,” he said. He added that