Cook calls for dialogue between the West and the Islamic world

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook called for a "historical and strategic dialogue" between the West and the Islamic world in order to surpass what he called the fixed "stereotyping" which damages relations between the two sides, especially the idea of civilizational struggle.

The Gulf News Agency reported that in a statement to the United Arab Emirates UAE daily al-Jihad issued on Tuesday, Cook said the conception of "civilizations struggle is completely wrong."

The British foreign secretary expressed hope to start such a dialogue between the European Union and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. He urged the mass media to work in preparation for such a dialogue through bridging the gaps between the two sides.