Turkish Republic Of N Cyprus To Be Represented At OIC As Turkish Cypriot State

ISTANBUL - A decision was made at the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of the Foreign Ministers that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would be represented at the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) under the name of ``Turkish Cypriot State`` as it was envisaged in the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan`s plan.
The joint communique of the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of the Foreign Ministers, said, ``the member countries decide that the Turkish Muslim people of Cyprus should continue to participate in the work, activities and meetings of all OIC organs under the name envisaged by the United Nations Secretary General`s settlement plan.``
``We acknowledge that a new situation has emerged in Cyprus following the referenda on April 24, 2004 which necessitates a fresh and comprehensive assessment of the Cyprus issue. We reaffirm the full equality of the two parties in Cyprus as the principle enabling them to live side-by-side in security, peace and harmony without the one having the ability to govern, exploit, oppress or threaten the other,`` it said.
The joint communique noted, ``we welcome the statement and calls made by the United Nations Secretary General, international organization and states, as well as decisions taken by various international organizations for ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots; and call upon the international community to take immediate concrete steps to that end.``
``We urge the member states to strengthen effective solidarity with the Turkish Muslim people of Cyprus closely associating with them, and with a view to helping them materially and politically to overcome the inhuman isolation which has been imposed upon them, to increase and expand their relations in all fields and in particular direct transport, trade, tourism, culture, information, investment and sports contacts,`` it said.
The joint communique stressed, ``we decide to actively support, until the Cyprus problem in solved, the rightful claim of the Turkish Muslim people of Cyprus for the right to be heard and represented in all international fora on the basis of equality of the two parties in Cyprus. We request the United Nations Secretary General to carry out the necessary contacts with the Islamic Development Bank with a view to seeking the ways and means of the latter`s assistance for the development projects of the Turkish Cypriot side.``
The joint communique noted, ``we decide to remain seized of the request of the Turkish Cypriot side of Cyprus for full membership of the OIC. We request the Secretary General to take all necessary measures for the implementation of this resolution and to report thereon to the 32nd Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.``
Referring to recent developments in Western Thrace, the joint communique noted, ``we condemn the judicial harassment of the elected Muftis of Xanthi Komotini, Mehmet Emin Aga, and Mr. Ibrahim Serif. We urge Greece to take all measures to respect the rights of the Turkish Muslim Minority in Western Thrace and urgently recognize the elected Muftis of Xhanti and Komotini as the official Muftis.``

(UK-AÖ) 16.06.2004