Zaman, Turkey
July 2 2005
Gul’s Address at OIC Meeting in Yemen
Published: Sunday July 03, 2005
zaman.com
Mr. Chairman,
Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished Colleagues,
32nd ICFM in Sanaa is taking place at a very interesting juncture of
political and social transformation in the world.
OIC is at a cross-roads where its ability to effectively respond to
the growing requirements of its member states will be tested.
In recent years, a consensus has been reached among our Heads of
State on the need to reform the OIC. Turkish Government fully
supports the process of reform and renewal within OIC and its
Secretariat. The reform exercise must be carried out in full
transparency and with a solid consensus on the part of the member
states.
Subsequently, the reform process must include elements such as the
conduct of an objective review of OIC’s Charter, streamlining and
strengthening of its resources, and creation of a number of forward
looking, effective units which will operate in cooperation with UN
and other prominent international organizations.
We are looking forward to hearing the views and proposals of the
member states on the report and the recommendations of the Eminent
Persons Group.
We also welcome Secretary General’s initiatives and stand ready to
support them in every possible way we can in the process to enhance
further the Organization’s effectiveness.
Dear Colleagues,
International organizations capable of contributing to resolution of
conflicts and keeping the pace with the universal dynamics have a
stronger voice in today’s world.
Therefore, it is of vital importance that the Organization of the
Islamic Conference clearly demonstrates its ability and willingness
of establishing or contributing to peace making, conflict prevention
and confidence building mechanisms. Such a mission is an urgent need
in our geography where inner conflicts tend to be chronicle and
international unless they are diagnosed and cured locally or
regionally.
Challenges from terrorism to weapons of mass destruction also need to
be faced collectively.
The Organization should, on the other hand monitor and contribute to
political, social and economic progress in the member countries.
It is with this understanding that Turkey proposed a draft resolution
on the reform efforts in the Muslim world.
On this occasion, I should recall certain principles which should not
be ignored in this regard.
First, the reforms must come from within and not imposed from
outside.
Second, the reforms should be genuine and should be based on legal
frameworks to provide sustainability especially in the economic
field.
Third, they should be based on common and universal values, such as
the protection of fundamental rights including gender equality and
ensuring of accountability, transparency and rule of law.
Fourth, the process must be flexible enough to allow progress,
Fifth, the reforms must be designed taking into consideration the
nature and requirements of every society,
Sixth, they must be implemented gradually.
It is with these thoughts that we believe it is high time for the OIC
to take the initiative and serve as a platform to share ideas,
experiences and become a forward-looking global partner.
Our civil societies can also contribute to this process targeting
good governance and rational use of resources.
Another challenge we should tackle collectively is the serious rise
of prejudices and attitudes against certain races, cultures and
creeds including Islam in some parts of the world.
A meaningful political and cultural dialogue and action will be some
of the effective ways of countering anti-Islamic campaigns and
Islamophobia.
In this context, in concert with Turkey’s initiatives, this year
Council of Europe recognized Islamophobia as a “dangerous inclination
that has to be fought against” and appealed to encourage
inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue. This has been an
important step forward.
Also worth reporting to you has been, OSCE Chairman’s designation of
a Turkish diplomat, as his “Personal Representative on Combating
Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims”.
Distinguished Delegates,
If you allow me, I shall briefly express my views on a number of
salient issues that will occupy the OIC agenda in the forseable
future.
In the Middle East, there seems to emerge a clearer international
consensus on what a negotiated settlement would look like. The key
elements will include an end to occupation and violence, leading to a
viable state of Palestine on its own territories, secure and
respected within recognized borders, as set out in UN Security
Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
We welcome the resumption of high level contacts between the parties,
the ceasefire declared at the Sharm el Sheikh Summit and the ensuing
steps taken. We hope the understanding to implement the disengagement
plan in coordination with the Palestinian side is maintained
throughout the process and it leads to the revival of the
negotiations on the basis of the Road Map.
Turkey is favorably disposed to play a constructive role to
complement efforts in this direction. Currently Turkey maintains its
contribution to the “Temporary International Presence in Hebron
(TIPH).” and gradually upgrades its assistance to the process.
Recently my Government donated 25.000 police uniforms to the
Palestinians, pledged 5 million Dollars to be used as project
assistance and opened, in Ramallah, an office of the Turkish
International Cooperation Agency. Our contributions will continue.
We continue to strongly advise the parties that terror and violence
should not be allowed to derail the tentative process this time. As a
demonstration of our general understanding and policy, both myself
and the Turkish Prime Minister visited the region that Turkey stands
ready to contribute more actively to the process.
We applaud the OIC Secretary General’s first ever visit to Palestine
on 23-25 May 2005 as a remarkable initiative of extending political
and moral support to the Palestinian people.
Despite continuing anguish and suffering of the Iraqi people, Iraq
has entered into a crucial phase of her history.
I can say that whatever the outcome of the transition in Iraq, it
will have a major impact throughout the OIC region and beyond.
During the constitution drafting process that the Iraqis are now
embarking on, the Iraqis will have to achieve broad participation and
consensus among themselves especially on issues of national
character.
Turkey is committed to a politically united, democratic, and stable
Iraq with her territorial integrity intact. Iraq should be at peace
with its own people and neighbors and should be free from terrorism
of all kind. This position has been happily shared by all parties at
the recent meeting of Iraq’s neighbors in Istanbul, and during the
Brussels international conference of last week.
We are pleased to observe that the Bonn process regarding the
political reconstruction of Afghanistan is moving forward despite
hurdles and difficulties.
Turkey having commanded ISAF two terms since the inception of the
Bonn process remains fully committed to lasting peace and rule of law
in Afghanistan and we shall continue supporting our Afghan brothers
in their long, but proud journey towards peace and stability.
Turkey, within the context of its “Policy of Opening Up to Africa”
has declared 2005 as the “Year of Africa”. Subsequently we promote
several UN regional peace initiatives and similarly welcome the New
Economic Partnership for Africa’s Development. Undoubtedly, African
solutions to Africa’s problems should be supported and nurtured. At
this time the world’s neglect and abandonment of Africa needs to be
reversed.
We remain concerned by the ongoing situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
People there have already suffered greatly. This question continues
to undermine the stability of the whole region. We look forward to a
peaceful solution through dialogue, on the basis of international
legitimacy.
The human rights of the Kashmiri people should be fully respected and
their will honored as mandated by the relevant UN Security Council
resolutions.
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
that these efforts are crowned with success this time.
The Azeri-Armenian conflict which is a result of occupation of Azeri
territories by Armenia, still stands as one of the principal
obstacles to regional stability, prosperity and cooperation in
Southern Caucasus. The time has come to find a peaceful solution to
this conflict within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Turkey
is actively encouraging the recent efforts towards a settlement of
this conflict.
Despite Turkish Cypriots’ strong bid for a peaceful solution and
Turkey’s forthcoming constructive diplomacy, the Cyprus question
remains unsettled due to Greek Cypriot rejection of the international
efforts.
Moreover, Greek Cypriot leadership ignores repeated calls of the UN
Secretary General, the decision of the EU Council, as well as the OIC
resolutions on lifting of the embargoes on and the isolation of the
Turkish Cypriot people.
We appreciate the steps taken by some countries towards the Turkish
Cypriots. However, Islamic countries need to do more in this
direction, since continuing isolation will only deepen the sense of
resentment and distrust of the Turkish Cypriots.
An end to the unjust isolation of Turkish Cypriots seems to be the
only way that could direct all the parties for a comprehensive
settlement which Turkey advocates for years.
Turkey will maintain its positive posture towards finding a solution
to the Cyprus problem. We will continue to cooperate with the UN
Secretary-General and support his efforts. Our current meeting is one
that would suit best for the Islamic World to extend support to their
Turkish Cypriot brothers so as to put an end to their isolation.
The Turkish Muslim Minority in Western Thrace continues to face
restrictions and impediments mainly in the fields of religious
rights, charitable foundations, recognition of ethnic identity, and
freedom of association in contravention to Greece’s “Treaty
Obligations”.
For many years, the OIC has been monitoring the conditions of the
Turkish Muslim minority in Western Thrace. Under the present
circumstances it would only be appropriate to maintain the focus on
the situation and continue urging Greece to fulfill its treaty
obligations.
Dear Colleagues,
Turkey became a candidate for one of the non-permanent seats at the
United Nations Security Council for the term 2009-2010. We are
thankful to those member states who have already expressed their
support to our candidacy and look forward to the favorable attitude
of the others.
As an important part of the agenda and work of the OIC, development
of economic cooperation, trade and tourism promotion stand out among
highest priorities within our organization.
Throughout the last 20 years as the permanent Chairman of the COMCEC
Turkey contributed to the creation of important mechanisms and the
preparation of the OIC Plan of Action for Economic and Commercial
Cooperation.
I am glad to announce today that the first round of negotiations
regarding the Establishment of a Trade Preferential System among OIC
Member States has been successfully completed in Antalya in April
this year.
Trade Negotiation Committee prepared a Draft Protocol and this
document has been circulated to the member governments for
consideration. Currently we are looking forward to finalizing and
concluding this protocol.
On the other hand, the two OIC bodies that Turkey hosts namely IRCICA
and SESTRIC have continued with their successful work.
We also hope to host the headquarters of the OIC Youth Forum for
Dialogue and Cooperation in Istanbul.
Dear Colleagues,
Turkey has been among the leading countries to provide assistance to
tsunami victims and affected countries. In my capacity as the
Chairman of the ICFM, I circulated a letter to the Foreign Ministers
of the member states inviting them to take action to provide
emergency humanitarian assistance.
Subsequently the “OIC Alliance to Safeguard Children Victims of the
Tsunami” project has been launched. In response to Secretary
General’s appeal for this campaign it is with great pleasure that I
will present to the Secretary General Turkey’s 1 million Dollars to
this important OIC project.
Before departing Turkey for Yemen, the Director of the World Health
Organization approached us to convey to the Secretary General and the
member states the appeal of the WHO for cooperation. WHO is concerned
about the difficulties faced in the fight against polio in some of
the OIC countries. We believe that OIC can and should adopt a more
active stance in combating this dangerous epidemic.
In conclusion, I would like to thank you all once again, and
reiterate our gratitude to the Government and the people of the
Republic of Yemen.
Speech by H.E. Mr. Abdullah Gul, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister of the Republic of Turkey