Solana: E.U. Is Against Correlating Terrorism With Islam

ISTANBUL, Feb 12 (A.A) - The EU Common Foreign and Defense Policy (CFDP) High Commissioner Javier Solana said on Tuesday that the EU was against correlating terrorism with Islam following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on Sept. 11.
Speaking in the opening of the OIC-EU Joint Forum, Solana referred to the political dimension of the Forum, noting that ''the EU is determined to reject any correlation between terrorism and Islam.''
Stressing the importance of dialogue among civilizations, Solana said that ''we are political actors who must use our means to bring people closer to each other.'' Solana noted that the political dialogue has to set up long term relations, increase the ties of trust and develop understanding between civilizations.
Solana said that he does not regard dialogue of civilizations as a difference between the two different blocks, adding that such an understanding is a cliche and it ignores the realities.
''We are in search for harmony, harmony is important for peace,'' said Solana and noted that lessons have to be drawn from the clashes of the past.
''We must resist the oppression on any group due to their differences of race or religion. We must not permit our value system to be ruined,'' he said.
Noting that the development of the harmony depended on prevention of clashes, Solana said that the OIC and the EU worked together for reconstruction in Afghanistan in the meeting held in Bonn. ''We can do better things,'' he said.
Referring to woman's rights and death penalty, Solana said that the EU is against death penalty. ''We don't criticize a civilization or attitude,'' he said, adding if the U.S., Russia or China execute somebody, the EU also criticizes them.
Solana stressed that the Forum will have three important issues, listing them as abolishment of terrorism, implementation of the decisions taken in Bonn meeting for reconstruction of Afghanistan and finding a solution to the Middle East problem.
Solana said that the Middle East problem has to be solved peacefully, adding that a solution which is based on two states can be the only solution and that the EU is resolved on the issue.