OIC Chief, Finland President discuss global food and financial

Jeddah, October 11, SPA -- The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who is currently paying an official visit to Finland, had talks in Helsinki with the President of the Republic of Finland, Tarja Halonen.

During the talks, the Secretary-General and the President of Finland
reviewed the follow-up of their bilateral meeting which took place in
Jeddah last year and exchanged points of view regarding different
political issues of common concern, including in particular the
global food crisis and the global financial crisis.

They also discussed the efforts made by the Organization of the
Islamic Conference to foster good governance, human rights, and
democracy and promote the status of women in the Islamic world.

Ihsanoglu also commended the efforts made by the Government of
Finland to protect the different minorities in Finland, including
Muslims, who live in a harmonious society and enjoy the freedom of
worship.


The meeting also addressed the Palestinian question and the
situation in the Caucasus.


The two sides stressed the importance of promoting dialogue between
the OIC and the EU concerning issues of common concern and
establishing dialogue between the OIC and the OSCE of which Finland
is currently the chair.



During his current visit to Finland, the Secretary-General is
expected to meet the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, Sauli
Niinisto, and the Finnish Foreign Minister, Alexander Stubb.

He will also deliver a lecture titled: “Islam in Europe” within the
framework of the forum organized by the Finnish Institute of
International Relations, according to a press release of the OIC.


Ihsanoglu also had a meeting with the members of the Islamic Council
of Finland and with the Tatar Community in Finland.

--SPA