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  • ANKARA: Turkish foreign minister addresses OIC meeting oninternation

    Turkish foreign minister addresses OIC meeting on international issues

    Anatolia news agency, Ankara
    14 Jun 04

    Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has
    said in the opening of the OIC summit in Istanbul that the world is
    "at a very crucial time" and has mentioned Arab-Israeli conflict, Iraq,
    terrorism, Africa and economic deprivation as the main problems needed
    to be sorted out. Pointing out that all Islamic countries are directly
    affected by these issues, Gul said that it is the OIC mission "dictated
    by common heritage and deep sense of history" to rise to the present
    challenges. He asked the OIC to develop and increase institutional
    relations with other regional organizations in order to "strengthen
    global harmony and the settlement of regional disputes. On Cyprus,
    Gul also asked the OIC member states to support the Turkish Cypriots
    "materially and politically". The following is the text of report in
    English by Turkish news agency Anatolia

    Istanbul, 14 June: Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
    Abdullah Gul said on Monday [14 June]: "As the Islamic countries, we
    must take strength from our common heritage which offers a rational
    and humanistic understanding of the world."

    Speaking at the 31st session of Islamic Conference of Foreign
    Ministers in Istanbul, Gul said: "We meet again at a very crucial
    time. The Arab-Israeli conflict with the question of Palestine at
    its core is bleeding hopes away. Iraq has yet to show a genuine sign
    towards stability. Africa's problems remain to be solved. Terrorism is
    expanding its scope and intensifying in ferocity. Sense of security
    is fast diminishing. The continuing political, social and economic
    deprivation is bringing greater instability. Those preaching clash of
    civilizations are winning more attentive ears. Prejudices, fanaticism
    and discrimination are everywhere. And, insecurity is now threatening
    a global economic downturn."

    "We, as the Islamic countries, are affected by all these issues
    directly. Therefore, we need to rise to the challenge. This is not
    a matter of choice; it is a mission dictated by our common heritage
    and our deep sense of history. Our task may be difficult. However,
    we must not fall to desperation. We must take strength from our common
    heritage which offers a rational and humanistic understanding of the
    world. This quality of Islamic culture and tradition has produced
    remarkable achievements in the past. But it is not enough to content
    ourselves with the old times. Our present challenge is to work for
    similar achievements today and in the future," he said.

    Gul noted: "It is gratifying to see that many fellow OIC members feel
    the need for improved quality of political and social standards. Even
    within the past one year, we have witnessed individual and collective
    efforts towards this end."

    "There has been an increasing interest both in the West and the
    East in Turkey's experience in harmonizing contemporary values with
    the traditional identity. Indeed, human rights, gender equality and
    realization of universal standards including the European political
    criteria by a Muslim society has been welcomed by all," he stressed.

    Gul listed common values as, "the sovereign nations that make up
    the OIC are determined to further the political, economic, social
    and cultural progress of their societies; equality and freedom
    of their citizens is their cherished principle; transparency and
    accountability are guiding principles of good governance; broadening
    the representative nature and democratic practices of government is
    a constant objective; providing contemporary education to all its
    citizens is an essential function of the government; and sustainable
    economic and social development should be pursued vigorously and
    efforts should be deployed in reducing poverty."

    He enumerated collective efforts as "the OIC members should assist
    each other in their efforts for progress and reform; the OIC,
    as an institution, should devise ways and means for supporting the
    reforms in a collective framework; also for the purpose of shouldering
    these tasks, the OIC needs to make a determined effort to adapt its
    secretariat to the growing demands of today".

    "The OIC should develop and increase institutional relations with
    other regional organizations such as the Arab League, the Economic
    Cooperation Organization, the D-8, the Gulf Cooperation Council,
    the African Union, the ASEAN, the European Union (EU), the Council
    of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
    and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, for the purpose
    of fostering intra and inter-regional cooperation and for drawing
    expertise and resources for the OIC members' national projects. These
    institutional relations should also help strengthen global harmony
    and attract meaningful interest in the settlement of the regional
    disputes," he said. Gul added: "I also look forward to the convening of
    the second OIC-EU joint forum in Istanbul next October. This meeting
    will take place at a time when the need for cooperation and mutual
    understanding becomes more important than ever."

    Gul continued: "Now it is high time for the international community
    to give full backing to the Turkish Cypriots by engaging in direct
    economic, commercial, social and cultural contacts with them." Gul
    said: "the United Nations Settlement Plan was overwhelmingly rejected
    by the Greek Cypriot side on 24 April 2004, while the Turkish Cypriots
    approved it with a clear majority. This vote has fundamentally changed
    the circumstances in Cyprus. The international organizations and many
    countries expressed regret over the Greek Cypriot attitude. They all
    welcomed the Turkish Cypriots' determination for the settlement."

    "OIC Secretary-General Dr Belkeziz reported that the international
    community, and the Muslim countries in particular, should work together
    to address the plight of the Turkish Cypriots by supporting them
    materially and politically. Also, the first ever official visit of the
    OIC secretary-general on 28 May 2004 to the [self-proclaimed] Turkish
    Republic of Northern Cyprus was most timely and meaningful. I commend
    this action of solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots," he stressed.

    Gul noted: "The United Nations secretary-general, in his recent report,
    calls on all states to cooperate both bilaterally and in international
    bodies to eliminate restrictions and barriers that have the effect
    of isolating the Turkish Cypriots and impeding their development."

    "Now it is high time for the international community to give full
    backing to the Turkish Cypriots by engaging in direct economic,
    commercial, social and cultural contacts with them. The EU and the
    United States have already taken some steps with a view to putting
    an end to the isolation of Turkish Cypriots," he emphasized.

    Gul added: "Our current meeting is an opportunity for this organization
    and the Islamic World to extend full support to Turkish Cypriot Muslim
    brothers, so as to put an end to their isolation."

    Gul continued: "Iraq remains insecure and volatile. Violence and
    terror in Iraq need to be dealt with. This is essential for the
    transformation and the rebuilding of the country."

    Gul said: "Iraq now has an interim government that will assume
    sovereignty by the end of this month. We wish this government to be
    successful. We wish they prove to serve the collective interests of
    the Iraqi people in their entirety. We wish they remain conscious
    that the source of legitimacy of this interim government ultimately
    lies with the people."

    "I commend Mr Lakhdar Brahimi, the Special Adviser of the United
    Nations secretary-general, is helping move forward the transition in
    Iraq. I hope the United Nations will be able to play its independent
    and effective role in assisting the Iraqis in institution-building
    and election preparation in the months ahead," he said.

    Gul stressed: "Iraq meanwhile remains insecure and volatile. Violence
    and terror in Iraq need to be dealt with. This is essential for the
    transformation and the rebuilding of the country. The international
    community should support the Iraqi people in this process. It is a
    moral obligation for us. It is also an investment for regional peace
    and stability. In this respect, we welcome the unanimously adopted
    UN Security Council Resolution No 1546."

    "The neighbouring countries of Iraq have supported this country's
    free and peaceful future since the onset of the Iraqi crisis. This
    continuing joint initiative is a great asset for the integrity and
    the stability of Iraq," he said.

    Gul added: "The OIC has a meaningful role to play in Iraq. Furthermore,
    UN Security Council Resolution No 1546 calls upon international and
    regional organizations to contribute to Iraq's stability. Therefore,
    we should elaborate on ways on how to assist the political process as
    well as the humanitarian needs in Iraq. Turkey, during its Chairmanship
    of the ICFM, will pay particular attention to this point."

    Gul said that he believed that full support would be given to Prof
    Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu for office of OIC secretariat-general. Gul
    continued: "Ihsanoglu has long been a household name for our
    organization as the successful director general of IRCICA. I do not
    need to repeat here what we all already know about this professional,
    academic and administrative credentials. I am confident that the will
    have more to offer as the secretary-general of the organization."

    "My government has an increasing interest in revitalizing the OIC
    and its Secretariat. The OIC needs to continue to move forward as an
    institution. We want to contribute to this in every possible way we
    can. It is in this spirit that my government has decided to nominate
    a candidate for the post of secretary-general of the OIC," he noted.

    Gul said: "Turkey will do its utmost over the next year as the chairman
    of the ICFM to rise up to the challenges facing the organization. We
    are confident that we can count on your full support."

    "The question of Palestine has become even more acute over
    the past year. Violence claimed many more innocent lives. The
    destruction brought by the policies of Israel deprived thousands
    of more Palestinians of even minimum requirements for living. The
    Palestinian [National] Authority remains mainly incapacitated. Turkey
    has all along stated that the employment of terror, suicide missions,
    targeted assassinations and deliberate destruction can bring no good
    to any party either now or in the longer run. I would like to draw
    the attention of the international community once more to the urgency
    of the solution of this problem which, coupled with the situation in
    Iraq, continues to undermine global peace and harmony," Gul noted.

    Abdullah Gul stressed: "In this regard, I commend the initiative taken
    by Malaysia, the OIC summit chairman. The special ministerial meeting
    held last April has led to a well-organized diplomatic activity. The
    OIC ministerial delegation, including Turkey, has thus far met three
    of the four Quartet partners. Our message to the sponsors of the
    road-map has been clear. The OIC will actively stand behind genuine
    movement towards settlement, and the OIC will be watchful of all
    concerned parties."

    He said: "Inspired also by the Arab Peace Initiative, based on the
    wise ideas of Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the OIC can
    oversee the process to achieve the two-state solution between Israel
    and Palestine. We can do the same for Israel's peace with Syria and
    Lebanon, based on Security Council Resolutions Nos 242 and 338. This
    can be achieved through the OIC mechanisms already available. Thus,
    the OIC, from its political and moral high ground, can offer full
    normalization and cooperation in the region."

    Gul said: "Africa needs our particular attention. The long-standing
    problems of economic development, health and famine continue to
    undermine the nations of this continent. Regional conflicts make their
    challenges even more difficult. The need to support sustainable
    development and social progress in Africa is an international
    responsibility of which we need to take our share."

    "Concerning Afghanistan, we are pleased that the Bonn process is
    being implemented successfully despite difficulties. Adoption of the
    new constitution is an important step towards the establishment of a
    new political structure in Afghanistan. With the upcoming elections
    in September, a new chapter will be opened. To maintain the pace
    of this progress, Afghanistan needs the continued commitment of
    the international community. Turkey will continue its support to
    Afghanistan," Gul noted.

    Foreign Minister Gul said: "We remained concerned by the ongoing
    situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Its people have already suffered
    greatly. This question undermines the stability of the whole
    region. We look forward to a peaceful solution to this question
    through dialogue, on the basis of international legitimacy. The human
    rights of the Kahsmiri people should be fully respected and their will
    honoured as mandated by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
    The recent moves made by both Pakistan and India and the process of
    "composite dialogue" have increased our hopes. We commend Pakistan
    for its continued efforts to sustain this dialogue. We wish to see
    these efforts will be crowned with success this time."

    Gul stressed that the Azeri-Armenian conflict still stands as
    one of the principle obstacles to regional stability, prosperity
    and cooperation in Southern Caucasia. The time has come to find a
    peaceful solution to this conflict within the territorial integrity
    of Azerbaijan. The Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories
    has to be brought to an end. This is in the interest of the regional
    countries as well as the international community. Turkey is ready to
    play its role in settling this issue.

    "International terrorism is widening its reach and increasing
    in ferocity. It continues to claim lives and hopes around the
    world. Terrorism has not religion, ethnicity or culture. It is an
    affront to the humanity. Therefore, it must be fought back resolutely,"
    he pointed out.

    "For many years, the OIC has been monitoring the conditions of
    the Turkish Muslim minority in Western Thrace. This minority has
    vested rights based on bilateral agreements and international
    instruments. However, they are not yet able to enjoy these basic
    minority rights to the full extend. The OIC therefore needs to
    continue to follow the Turkish Muslim minority's plight closely. I
    hope my government's improving relations and dialogue with Greece
    will also contribute to the betterment of this minority's conditions,"
    Gul stated.

    "The economic and commercial activities of the OIC constitute one
    of the main pillars of our cooperation. The Standing Committee for
    Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC), chaired by the president
    of Turkey, has been a highly effective instrument in this respect. And
    this year marks the 20th anniversary of its inception. A special
    meeting of Ministers of Economy and Trade will be organized to mark
    this and to evaluate the perspectives of further economic-commercial
    cooperation among us," Gul said.

    Gul emphasized: "This year, we are also pleased to see the Framework
    Agreement for the Trade Preferential System among the Member Countries
    of the OIC coming into force. This is indeed a landmark. The Trade
    Negotiating Committee formed under this agreement has also held its
    first meeting recently in Turkey."

    " In this respect, I would also like to express my government's
    continued support for the activities of the two successful subsidiary
    organs of the OIC hosted by Turkey, namely IRCICA and SESRTCIC,"
    he noted.

    Gul said, "I tried to address a number of major issues for our
    organization. Many more vital matters constitute part of our agenda.

    Dealing with these requires year-round dedication and hard work. That
    is where the role of the Secretariat becomes crucial.
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