WARSAW (AA) - Heads of state & government of member-states to the Council of Europe (COE) condemned Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, and called on establishment of a mechanism to promote non-discrimination.
     A final declaration was released on the second day of COE Third Summit of Heads of State & Government in Polish capital Warsaw.
     In the final declaration, leaders said, ''we strongly condemn all forms of intolerance and discrimination, in particular those based on sex, race and religion, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. We affirm our determination to further develop, within the COE, rules and effective machinery to prevent and eradicate them.''
     Islamophobia, which has been rising in Europe in the aftermath of the September 11th events in the United States, was brought onto agenda of the summit with initiatives and effective diplomatic efforts of Turkey.
     The expression of ''combat against Islamophobia'' was included in a formal document of the COE for the first time.
     During his speech yesterday (Monday), Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan called on the COE to create influential mechanisms against Islamophobia.
    
     -INTER-CULTURAL & INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE-
    
     Again with the support of Turkey, the COE said in the final declaration, ''we are resolved to ensure that our diversity becomes a source of mutual enrichment, inter alia, by fostering political, inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue.''
     The COE has decided to appoint a coordinator to this end.
     Meanwhile, the COE expressed its resolution to create a new framework for enhanced co-operation and interaction with the European Union in areas of common concern, in particular human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
     The COE also decided to secure improved practical co-operation with the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
    
     -COMBAT AGAINST TERRORISM-
    
     ''The COE will continue to play an active role in combating terrorism, which is a major threat to democratic societies and is unjustifiable under any circumstances and in any culture. It will also further develop its activities in combating corruption, organized crime, including money laundering and financial crime, trafficking in human beings, cybercrime, and the challenges attendant on scientific and technical progress. We shall promote measures consistent with our values to counter those threats,'' it said.
     (UK-A֩
2005-05-17