ID :
88761
Mon, 11/09/2009 - 23:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/88761
The shortlink copeid
TURKEY WILLING TO HOST OIC HEADS OF STATE SUMMIT IN 2014
ISTANBUL (A.A) - 09.11.2009 - Turkey expressed on Monday its willingness to host the heads of state and government summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in 2014.
Turkey's President Abdullah Gul said that Turkey, which had not hosted OIC heads of state and government summit so far, was willing to organize it in 2014.
"Turkey believes member states will support us," Gul told the Economy Summit taking place in Istanbul on the sidelines of the 25th session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the OIC.
The OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations which has membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The Organization is the collective voice of the Muslim world and ensuring to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.
Gul also touched on Israel-Palestine dispute during his speech, and said that it was impossible to ensure regional peace and stability without solving the issue on the basis of founding a Palestinian state, which would live in a secure and recognized borders and side-by-side with the Israeli state and the capital of which would be East Jerusalem.
"Questioning a two-state solution and laying down some conditions for a solution will make regional peace more difficult," Gul said.
Gul also said that division between the Palestinians would harm the Palestinian cause, and expressed concern over the tension that had recently occurred in sacred places in Jerusalem, especially in days when efforts had been increased for resumption of peace negotiations.
"In this context, it is obligatory to take lessons from past agonies, refrain from unilateral and provocative moves, and pay attention not to harm peace efforts," Gul said.
Gul said there had not been any progress in the region although ten months had passed since the declaration of unilateral ceasefire and although eight months had passed since several countries had committed in Sharm el-Sheikh to reconstruct Gaza.
The Turkish president said Turkey would continue to support Palestine, and Turkey was also backing a lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
On Afghanistan, Gul said that Turkey had undertaken the command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) twice.
However, success could not be gained in Afghanistan with only military methods but also political, diplomatic, economic and cultural means should be used efficiently, Gul said.
Gul said Turkey's relations with Iran depended on several principles like not intervening in domestic affairs of that country, good neighborhood and cooperation in security.
The Turkish president welcomed Iran's direct talks with six countries to solve its nuclear program controversy, and hoped that talks would give positive results.
"Turkey will continue to support and help a diplomatic solution to this problem," Gul said.
Also, Gul said Turkey was planning to open embassies in Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Mali, Niger and Uganda, which were all COMCEC members.
As a second step, Turkey would open embassies in Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mauritania and Mozambique, he also said.
Gul said OIC should assume a role in solving problems in Somalia for the sake of regional stability.
President Gul also referred to Cyprus issue, and called on OIC member states to extend support to end unjust pressure and embargoes on Turkish Cypriots.
Established in 1981, COMCEC became operational in 1984, with the election of the President of the Republic of Turkey to its chairmanship. The mandate of the COMCEC is to draw up programmes for joint action, coordinate and follow-up the activities pertaining to economic cooperation within the framework of the OIC.
Turkey's President Abdullah Gul said that Turkey, which had not hosted OIC heads of state and government summit so far, was willing to organize it in 2014.
"Turkey believes member states will support us," Gul told the Economy Summit taking place in Istanbul on the sidelines of the 25th session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the OIC.
The OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations which has membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The Organization is the collective voice of the Muslim world and ensuring to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.
Gul also touched on Israel-Palestine dispute during his speech, and said that it was impossible to ensure regional peace and stability without solving the issue on the basis of founding a Palestinian state, which would live in a secure and recognized borders and side-by-side with the Israeli state and the capital of which would be East Jerusalem.
"Questioning a two-state solution and laying down some conditions for a solution will make regional peace more difficult," Gul said.
Gul also said that division between the Palestinians would harm the Palestinian cause, and expressed concern over the tension that had recently occurred in sacred places in Jerusalem, especially in days when efforts had been increased for resumption of peace negotiations.
"In this context, it is obligatory to take lessons from past agonies, refrain from unilateral and provocative moves, and pay attention not to harm peace efforts," Gul said.
Gul said there had not been any progress in the region although ten months had passed since the declaration of unilateral ceasefire and although eight months had passed since several countries had committed in Sharm el-Sheikh to reconstruct Gaza.
The Turkish president said Turkey would continue to support Palestine, and Turkey was also backing a lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
On Afghanistan, Gul said that Turkey had undertaken the command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) twice.
However, success could not be gained in Afghanistan with only military methods but also political, diplomatic, economic and cultural means should be used efficiently, Gul said.
Gul said Turkey's relations with Iran depended on several principles like not intervening in domestic affairs of that country, good neighborhood and cooperation in security.
The Turkish president welcomed Iran's direct talks with six countries to solve its nuclear program controversy, and hoped that talks would give positive results.
"Turkey will continue to support and help a diplomatic solution to this problem," Gul said.
Also, Gul said Turkey was planning to open embassies in Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Mali, Niger and Uganda, which were all COMCEC members.
As a second step, Turkey would open embassies in Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mauritania and Mozambique, he also said.
Gul said OIC should assume a role in solving problems in Somalia for the sake of regional stability.
President Gul also referred to Cyprus issue, and called on OIC member states to extend support to end unjust pressure and embargoes on Turkish Cypriots.
Established in 1981, COMCEC became operational in 1984, with the election of the President of the Republic of Turkey to its chairmanship. The mandate of the COMCEC is to draw up programmes for joint action, coordinate and follow-up the activities pertaining to economic cooperation within the framework of the OIC.
