Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Seyed Abbas Araghchi led the Iranian delegation during the two-day senior experts meeting at 13th Summit of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) underway in Istanbul.
“Detailed talks were held on various topics of the Islamic world including Syrian, Libyan and Yemeni issues, Muslim minorities around the world as well as OIC’s support of minority groups,” Araghchi told the reporters.
Sunday and Monday meetings were held among the senior experts of member countries while the draft of a statement has been prepared which will be discussed and approved during the ministerial meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday before being handed over to OIC leaders’ summit to take place on Thursday and Friday.
Iranian deputy FM went on to note “the draft of final statement contains a total of 200 different items dealing with numerous issues including Islamic unity and solidarity, reconciliation in the Muslim world and finding ways to settle disputes as well as economic and cultural issues.”
“A separate statement has also been specifically designated to the issue of Palestine the text of which will be presented to the session of foreign ministers,” highlighted the official.
Deputy FM emphasized the need for strengthening Islamic unity asserting “one problem faced by OIC is the inclination of some member countries towards extending their bilateral issues to the organization moving against Islamic unity and solidarity which needs to be confronted.”
Araghchi maintained that first and foremost objective of OIC is to deal with Israel and support the rights of Palestinians; “the issue has always been high on agenda of the organization and should not be marginalized.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always made efforts to keep OIC on its right track which is confronting the Zionist regime as the most major threat to the Islamic world,” he continued.
Deputy FM for legal and international affairs concluded “in addition to these issues, the meeting of experts also discussed the fight against terrorism, sectarianism and Takfiri movements which are referred to the draft for the final statement.”
The 13th Summit of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is underway in Istanbul, Turkey, on April 10-15.
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