ISTANBUL, Feb 12 (A.A) - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Tuesday that Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and European Union (EU) which are two important political organizations carry common responsibility in efforts aiming to reach a better understanding.
Addressing the opening speech of the Forum, Cem said that the Forum is the first important meeting of the 21st century.
Cem stressed that there was a concrete need and danger felt by all countries which necessitated the holding of the Joint Forum, adding that the attacks in the U.S. on September 11 have revealed the fact that the basic understanding between different cultures and civilizations was not strong.
Cem said that the first reaction to the September 11 attacks was definition of terrorism in respect of culture and religion in a way which provoked one part of the humanity against another. This approach have caused deepening and increasing fault lines in global respect, Cem said.
Noting that the Sept. 11 attacks have also brought with it consciousness in the international atmosphere, Cem said ''this consciousness has come out after we have seen that we don't have enough information about each other, we needed a new relation mechanism and we needed respect for cultural diversification. Today, we understand the fact that terrorism does not have religion and geography. It can't be described on cultural basis and it can't be excused anyway.''
Cem said that the stability and peace dynamics determined the taking up of the concept the ''Other'' throughout the history, adding that denying or humiliating the 'Other'' has resulted in clash and enmity.
''We also witnessed that harmony, information and prosperity can only come true by communication between different nations and their respect to each other's cultures,'' Cem said.
Cem stressed that Turkey hosts this Forum by carrying a special importance and mission, adding that Turkey is both devoted to OIC and EU, it is both eastern, and western.
''Your great participation in Istanbul gives message of hope, understanding, peace and cooperation,'' he added.