JOINT STATEMENT BY JACK STRAW AND EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU

JOINT STATEMENT BY RT. HON. JACK STRAW MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND PROF. EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU, SECRETARY-GENERAL, ORGANISATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC)

Our discussions this afternoon focused on the great challenges facing the international community. Recent events, such as the tsunami in Asia, the Pakistan earthquake, the cartoons issue and acts of terrorism show that countries and societies are more closely interconnected than ever before. The need to enhance cooperation and deepen understanding between peoples, cultures and faiths has never been more important than present.

We deeply regret the publication of insensitive and disrespectful cartoons of Prophet Mohammed in some European newspapers which has caused hurt and resentment all over the Muslim world. However, the violence that has surrounded their republication is unacceptable. We welcome the many efforts to promote dialogue and understanding as the way forward.

We agreed that the way to address the range of issues that face us is by working in partnership with both governments and communities. Our response to those who seek to sow division should be to strengthen and emphasise the common ground between us and support those working to uphold the principles of democracy, human rights, mutual tolerance and respect.

While we need more dialogue and increased efforts to resolve political issues of concern to us all, we agreed there was no issue that justified the use of violence or terrorism. Terrorism is anathema to all faiths and human values, and has no legitimacy in the eyes of the civilised world. We agreed to work together to prevent extremism wherever it occurs. We encourage a united response by all those with influence to confront terrorists and undermine their destructive invective and propaganda.

In this regard the Foreign Secretary welcomes the conclusions of the OIC Extraordinary Summit in December 2005 and its call for the mainstream within Islam to speak out against extremism and to promote political and socio-economic development. He supports the efforts of Muslim leaders and civil society to advance this agenda and encourages greater engagement between Muslims of Europe and the wider Muslim world, and between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. For his part, the Secretary-General welcomes the developing partnership between the Government and British Muslims domestically and their engagement with the wider Muslim world.

We exchanged views on the situation and important developments in the Middle East, including the Palestinian elections. We emphasised the importance of continuing the Middle East peace efforts, especially by the Quartet, and to all parties fulfilling their Road Map obligations and achieving a lasting, just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

We also discussed the situation in Iraq. We condemn sectarian violence and welcome the efforts of Iraqi leaders from all communities to prevent it. We support the vast majority of Iraqis who reject terrorism and are working for a democratic, stable and inclusive Iraq. We look forward to the rapid formation of an inclusive government which can get down to the vital business of providing for the Iraqi people law and order, functioning services and continued reform of the economy.

In conclusion, we have decided to continue our contacts with a view to further develop our bilateral cooperation as well as to establish mutually beneficial and practical relations between the OIC and the European Union.

Further information

Share this with:

• Delicious
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• StumbleUpon