Türkiye aims for peace, stability in OIC region – Chavushoglu

Türkiye is striving for peace and stability in the region of
member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),
Foreign Minister Mevlut Chavushoglu said, indicating that 66% of
conflicts are in this region, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

Speaking at the annual coordination meeting of the OIC held in
New York, Chavushoglu began his remarks by conveying his
condolences to Pakistan and its people over the deadly floods in
the country.

“As Türkiye and Turkish people, we will continue supporting
brotherly Pakistan and Pakistani brothers and sisters,” he
said.

The monsoon season in Pakistan, like in other countries in the
region, usually results in heavy rains, but this year has been the
wettest since 1961.

At least 33 million people have been affected by the
unprecedented floods, which most observers say came as a direct
result of climate change, and Pakistani officials say it poses an
existential threat to the country.

Currently, one-third of the country is under water as the
massive rains and melting glaciers have caused the country’s main
Indus River to overflow, inundating vast swaths of plains and
farms.

Saying that the world is currently “less safe and more
uncertain,” Chavushoglu said, “More than 2 billion people live in
conflict zones, and around unfortunately 60% of conflicts are in
the OIC geography.”

The OIC is the second-largest inter-governmental body after the
U.N., with its 57 member states spread across four continents.

It was established in 1969 at a historic summit in Rabat,
Morocco’s capital, in response to an arson attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque
in occupied Jerusalem.

“Rising inequalities, health crises, food and energy insecurity,
terrorism and migration are global challenges,” the Turkish
minister said while noting that such “challenges have a greater
impact on all OIC member states. It is our joint responsibility to
act in unity against this challenge.”

Regarding Libya, Chavushoglu said the “legal basis and concrete
road map including the timetable on elections are crucial.”

“Attempts undermining the current peace are not helpful and very
dangerous,” he added.

Regarding Afghanistan, Türkiye is “engaged with the Taliban to
encourage them for an inclusive administration and ensuring the
rights of all, including women and children,” Chavushoglu said as
he announced the opening of two more schools for girls in Kabul
recently.

Reminding that Türkiye supports the OIC’s Humanitarian Trust
Fund, Chavushoglu encouraged all OIC member states to pay “their
annual contributions for a more visible, more effective OIC.”

Voicing support for Pakistan’s proposal to reenergize the OIC’s
efforts for peace and security, the Turkish minister said, “The OIC
contact group on mediation will be a useful platform to discuss
future steps to be taken in this regard.”

He further stated that, “Türkiye believes in Islamic solidarity
and supports rightful causes of all Muslims around the world.”

Chavushoglu cited the injustices that Turkish Cypriots are
facing via “isolations and embargos” and voiced Ankara’s
expectation from OIC members to stand with the Turkish
Cypriots.

“The Muslim Turkish minority in Greece are also being deprived
of their basic rights and freedoms. Their elected muftis are not
recognized and they are not allowed to express their ethnic
identity and enjoy autonomy in education,” he added.

The Turkish foreign minister continued by urging the OIC to
“display solidarity” in relevant resolutions.