Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu at the joint press conference in Jeddah on Thursday. (AN photo by Marwan Al-Johani)

JEDDAH, 31 March 2006 — Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) here yesterday and discussed with its Secretary-General, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, regional developments and concerns. At the press conference that followed the meeting, Ihsanoglu, a Turkish native, commended Turkey for its support to the organization and discussed agreements and future plans.

“Turkey is one of the most active members supporting the organization. With its long history, culture and geographic position, Turkey plays a major role between the East and the West,” said the OIC chief.

Turkey is currently chairing the Economic Cooperation Council of the OIC and the country will play host to the ministerial conference on women later this year, Ihsanoglu said, adding that Turkey has pledged $1 million to the OIC. The two discussed present developments and concerns, including the ten-year action plan adopted during the extraordinary summit in Makkah recently, the reform efforts within the general secretariat and the restructuring of the OIC.

“We talked about the details of the OIC ten-year executive program in economy, politics, culture and other aspects and about increasing scientific and cultural cooperation between member states adopted by the summit in Makkah. There are challenges and difficulties that have to be tackled and reconsidered for adequate solutions,” said Ihsanoglu in response to a question about the meeting. “The objective is to achieve full solidarity between member states, promote research on culture, increase level of appropriation and intra-OIC trade from 13 percent to 20 percent, as well as eradicate diseases,” he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Erdogan expressed Turkey’s continued support to the organization, fully realizing the growing responsibility of the OIC.

“Incidents that we have witnessed that have international dimensions emphasized the importance of this organization on the international stage, especially during the last three years,” said Erdogan in his statement. “We have been working very hard to achieve prosperity and prevent conflict among member states and around the world and we have initiated a dialogue between civilizations, which is very important. We have also launched talks for full membership in EU and are working for the restructuring of the OIC.”

Answering a question on Turkey’s support for the Palestinian cause, Erdogan said that the elections there is an indication of democracy taking place without conflict, an election that was transparent within the climate of freedom.

“We consider it an important step in the democratic process and the choice of the people should be respected by all countries,” he said, referring to the US-led drive to financially isolate the Palestinians for results of the election that was deemed by the international community as free and fair.

He urged the current Palestinian government, including members of the losing Fatah Party, to work with President Mahmoud Abbas and within UN resolutions. “Efforts should focus on preserving gains and on dialogue.”

Turkey is working on establishing an industrial zone with Israel and Palestine, he announced, and if it is successful it will provide jobs to more than 5,000 Palestinians. Turkey is also helping to construct housing units there.

Arab News asked how Turkey’s relationship with Israel would change if Hamas continues its policy of not recognizing Israel as a legitimate sovereign state and if the situation there deteriorates further.

“We will not stop at Hamas’ recognition of Israel, but also seek Israel’s recognition of Hamas,” said the prime minister. He called for dialogue between Hamas and Israel.

With regards to Iran and Iraq, Erdogan said Turkey has no objection to the peaceful use of nuclear power. At the same time, he said that the whole region should be free of weapons of mass destruction.

Regarding Iraq, Erdogan emphasized the need to develop the country and to respect its sovereignty. “We want to see a united and sovereign Iraq, and we consider its natural resources as belonging to the Iraqi people. There should be no distinction on racial grounds. We think that Kirkuk should have a special status and be protected,” he said, referring to the northern Iraqi city occupied by the Kurds.