Islamic' European Dialogue Forum opens in Istanbul
Regional-European Union, Culture, 2/13/2002

The Islamic-European Dialogue forum opened Tuesday at the level of foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the European Union.

Egypt is participating in the event with a high level delegation led by Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher.

Addressing the forum, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who called for its holding, said the OIC and the EU share the responsibility of achieving better understanding especially as the events of September 11 have revealed poor understanding among cultures.

He called for the need to establish new mechanisms for relations and guarantee respect of the various cultures.

Turkish President Ahmed Necdet Sezer, who officially opened the forum, said there must be a definition for the term of terrorism, one that will be free of double standards.

Islamic and European countries must define the problems facing humanity and search for joint solutions to them, which will contribute to the establishment of world peace and prosperity , he added.

Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique, whose country now chairs the rotating EU presidency, which took the floor, spoke of the importance of the gathering, being the first of its kind.

Ignorance and misconceptions of each other's cultures are the main reasons behind problems, he said, adding that mutual respect and justice were the key to peace and stability.

Regrettably, some people in today's world do not want to pare justice with others nor mutual respect, he added.

Terrorism's aim is to divide the human world and heighten differences, he said.

He called for the respect of human rights and for giving it the priority it deserves in the formulation of foreign policy.

Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad Bin Jassem AL Jabr, whose country now chairs the rotating OIC presidency, expressed hope that this pioneer forum contribute to the realization of peace and stability on the principles of justice and equality.

Islam does not condone the terrorist acts of September 11 were carried out by Arabs and Muslims who only represented themselves, although some have tried to use them to tarnish the image of Islam, he said.

EU External Affairs Commissioner Javier Solana also addressed the forum and said it would not only examine political issues, but cultural and civilization matters as well.

Seventy-one countries are taking part in the two-day forum; their foreign ministers represent 44 of them. Also participating are other regional organizations, including the Arab League.

A final communique will be released Wednesday to affirm the importance of dialogue among religions and civilizations and a joint stance in the face of the challenges of this age.

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