CUMHURIYET- Columnist Ali Sirmen writes on the OIC-EU Joint Forum held in Istanbul. A summary of his column is as follows:
During the OIC-EU Joint Forum attended by 51 ministers and representatives from 75 countries, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine said that the term ‘clash of civilizations’ should not unsettle anyone. The important point was to turn it into a dialogue and mutual understanding. He also stressed that in order to achieve this aim, the sides should discuss their problems seriously and comprehensively, and bring the issues they do not understand about the others to the table in a friendly manner, instead of at diplomatic forums where no one can fully express their problems and end up leaving satisfied. ‘For example, we find it hard to understand the secondary role of women in Islam, and we must express this view. In return, they don’t understand the modern family structure of the West, and don’t view it favorably when old people are left alone with their fate living on their own. They must express these views to us. A real dialogue begins in this way. This meeting has formed an Istanbul spirit on the issue. Istanbul is the most convenient place for such a meeting. We must act without creating new bureaucracies and work to benefit from this spirit.’ Mr. Vedrine’s words best summarized this conference. However, if an operation against Iraq is carried out and Turkey stands by the US, such a conference cannot be convened in Istanbul again. A probable intervention in Iraq and Turkey’s participation in it, however small, would lead to grave consequences for Turkey both economic and political. What will happen to the Istanbul spirit if such a strike takes place? How long would we have wait to revive this spirit?
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION