STAR- Columnist Zeynep Gurcan comments on the upcoming meeting between the EU and the Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC). A summary of her column is as follows:
This week is very important for Turkey. We will host a meeting which will bring top-level representatives of the Muslim and Christian world together for the first time since the last September's terrorist attacks. The foreign ministers of 29 countries from the EU and OIC will attend the meetings to discuss ways to improve dialogue between the two civilizations. Let's have a look at the summit's topics so that we can understand what it's all about. The first topic on the agenda will be 'Preventing Political and Cultural Fissures." Then, three separate panels will be held on 'Overcoming Common Problems', 'Media and Politics' and 'Who is the Other?' During these panels, attendees will try to find solutions to humanity's common problems which have emerged due to the world's rapid globalization. Another important aspect of the EU-OIC meeting is the attendance of prominent social theorists and intellectuals such as Bernard Lewis, Thierry de Montbrial and Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan Bin Tallal. The contribution of those prominent figures is of great importance since they will add a civilian voice to what is too-often a politicians-only chorus. One of the most sensitive issues slated to be discussed at the meetings is the future of Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah will represent the new Afghan government in Istanbul. Although nobody expects the meeting to reach concrete accomplishments, there is nonetheless no doubt that it will be a great step forward for the world towards improving dialogue and discussions of common problems.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION