Ministers' Delegation To Give Message To Ireland It Is Ready To Support Solution Between Israel And Palestine

DUBLIN - The Ministers' Delegation set up by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to help solution of Israeli-Palestinian dispute would give the message to the European Union (EU) Term President Ireland that ''it was ready to support a solution,'' Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay said on Wednesday.
Atalay, who is a member of the delegation, came to Irish capital Dublin to hold meetings with Irish officials.
The OIC Ministers' Delegation headed by OIC Term President Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar and including Moroccan Foreign Minister, Palestinian Foreign Minister and OIC Secretary General Abdelouahed Belkeziz accompanied Atalay.
Atalay told reporters that OIC Ministers' Delegation would give the same message to United Nations (UN) Secretariat General, Russian Federation and the United States, the other members of the Middle East Quartet.
The delegation was formed in OIC special meeting held upon Malaysia's invitation on April 22 in which he also participated, Atalay said.
Atalay stated that Turkey was taking part in the delegation, set up to visit the members of the Middle East Quartet under the ''Palestine Declaration'' adopted in that special meeting, due to its increasing importance and position.
The delegation would give the message that the OIC supported the solution proposed by the Middle East Quartet during its meetings in Dublin, Atalay pointed out.
Atalay said that the delegation would ask for support in its meetings.
Israel should withdraw from the occupied areas in West Bank and Gaza Strip, an independent Palestinian state should be established, supported and strengthened for settlement of Palestinian-Israeli dispute, Atalay emphasized.
Atalay said that the delegation would later visit Russian capital Moscow.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul would represent Turkey in the meetings of the Ministers' Delegation in Russian Federation, Atalay noted.
Atalay stated that the delegation planned to visit New York at the beginning in June but who would represent Turkey in that visit was not immediately clear.
Turkish State Minister Atalay will attend luncheon to be hosted by Irish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary in honor of the delegation.
The delegation including Atalay will meet with Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.
Atalay, who came to Dublin earlier in the day, will return to London this evening after completing his meetings in Dublin.
(BRC) 19.05.2004