Islam Countries To Support Turkey's U.N. Security Council Membership - Armenia's Aggression Condemned

ISTANBUL - Islam countries decided to support Turkey's membership to UN Security Council.
The decision taken in the joint communique issued after the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul said:
''Having considered the candidacies presented by Member States in this regard; decides to support the following candidacies:
Candidacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the membership in the United Nations Security Council for the period 2009-2010, at the elections that will be held during the 63rd UN General Assembly in New York in 2008. Candidacy of the Republic of Turkey for non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council for the period 2009-2010, at the elections that will be held during the 63rd UN General Assembly in New York in 2008.''

-UPPER KARABAKH PROBLEM-

In the joint communique, the aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan was strongly condemned. The joint communique called on the UN Security Council to recognize the existence of aggression against the Republic of Azerbaijan and strongly demanded the strict implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions related to the issue, and the immediate unconditional and complete withdrawal of Armenian forces from all occupied Azerbaijani territories including Upper Karabakh region and strongly urges Armenia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The joint communique called upon Member States, as well as other members of the international community to use such effective political and economic measures as required in order to put an end to Armenian aggression and to occupation of the Azerbaijani territories.
Member countries decided to instruct the Permanent Representatives of Member States at the United Nations in New York, while voting at the UN General Assembly, to give absolute support to the issue of territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Islam countries also decided to make constructive contribution to the OSCE peace process ongoing for the solution of the problem.

-ISLAMIC SOLIDARITY GAMES-

The joint communique approved the future activities which the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) decided to undertake in 2005 at the top of which the first edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games.
The joint communique recommended that the Islamic Broadcasting Organization and the International Islamic News Agency coordinate with the Islamic Solidarity Sports Foundation to cover the coming activities of the Foundation, in particular, the Islamic Solidarity Games to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2005.

(AY-AÖ) 16.06.2004