ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Tuesday that Turkey's relations with Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) were positive.
Sezer replied questions of reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure for Malaysia where he would attend the 10th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference of OIC between October 16 and 17.
Sezer said Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and representatives of related institutions participated in Foreign Ministers Preparatory Meeting which was held before the summit.
Stressing that relations between Turkey, which covers a multi-dimensional foreign policy, and OIC were positive, Sezer said Turkey was an important member of the 57-member OIC, and gradually gains importance in world policy.
Sezer said 10th Summit meeting took place at a period when international community was in an effort to find a solution to multi-lateral problems and at a time when joint efforts gained importance.
Sezer said Middle East problem, Iraq, situation on Cyprus, Western Thrace Moslem Turkish Minority, Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan, nuclear disarmament, economic development of Islam countries reformation of Islam world were expected to be discussed at the meeting.
Sezer said he would also have the opportunity to meet with heads of state and government of some countries.
Sezer said he would also present development report to member countries as the Chairman of Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
Sezer said he believed that initiatives of Turkey on the issue would reach successful outcomes with the valuable contributions of member countries.
Sezer said summit meeting would end on October 17 with the adoption of final statement, noting that he would depart from Malaysia on October 18.
Sezer said, ''I wish the 10th Islam Summit meeting will be fruitful for our country, serve for strengthening of understanding, cooperation and solidarity among member countries, and contribute to the solution of problems that are on the agenda.''
(AY) 14.10.2003