O.I.C. Istanbul Conference Was A Ground Where Serious Issues Were Discussed

ISTANBUL - The 31st Conference of Foreign Ministers of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) held in Istanbul was a ground where serious issues were discussed and every issue was discussed freely, Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay said on Wednesday.
A closing reception was hosted at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul following the conference.
Atalay, who attended the reception, told reporters that Turkey had successfully hosted many international events this year.
A Turk was elected as OIC Secretary General for the first time, Atalay said.
Atalay expressed belief that there would be a more functional OIC after Turkey took over the office of OIC Secretary General.
Turkish State Minister Atalay stressed that he considered Turkey a country, the image of which had really increased in international arena thanks to the consistent policies of the government.
Atalay expressed thought that Turkey's consistent, balanced and active Iraq policy would be reflected to the OIC as Turkey had undertaken the office of OIC Secretary General.
The 31st Conference of Foreign Ministers was held in Istanbul between June 14 and 16.
Turkey achieved its two goals at the end of the conference, including upgrading the status of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in OIC and election of a Turk as the new OIC Secretary General. Participants of the conference decided that TRNC would be represented at OIC as Turkish Cypriot State.
Secondly, Turkish nominee Eklemeddin Ihsanoglu was elected as the new OIC Secretary General.
(BRC) 16.06.2004