We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, express deep sympathy with and support for the countries that fell victims to terrorist attacks, the Baku Declaration adopted at the 33rd session of the Organization of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Baku on 21 June, Trend reports
The Ministers denounced as groundless any attempts to link terrorism with any religion, culture and people as this global scourge does not have religious or national affiliation. We support the development of relations and search for new prospects of cooperation between the OIC and major international and regional institutions including OSCE, European Union, Council of Europe, ASEAN, Organization of Armenian States, African Union and other, the declaration reads. We express our deep concern over growing tendency of Islamophobia and call for concrete efforts to enhance dialogue and broaden understanding among civilizations, culture and religious by promoting tolerance, respect for and freedom of religion and belief. In this regard, we welcome the work of the OIC General Secretariat to establish the OIC Observatory aimed at monitoring manifestations of the OIC and the European Union is developing secondary school programs on Islam is a special relevance in this context. We deem it also important to raise public awareness throughout the world on the tenets and values of Islam, including among the youth, and underline the crucial role of mass media in this regard, he document reads.
Regarding the cooperation program on exploitation and transportation o energy resources of the OIC member states as an essential factor in the social and economic development of the countries the ministers welcome the commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline which has taken place on the eve of this session, as a result of the strategic cooperation in the region and look forward to speedy completion of the Baku-Tbilisi gas pipeline. The ministers also the importance of inter-regional transport corridor, including the restoration of the Great Silk Road, which runs through the OIC member-states and the East-West and North-south transport corridors project. They also welcome other regional initiatives, including transportation of energy resources between Iran and Kazakhstan, gas pipeline projects involving Afghanistan, India, Iran, Pakistan and Turkmenistan, the declarations reads.
The ministers once again bring to the attention of international community the demands for speedy peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict is a principle objective of the Organization and consider the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and UN General Assembly resolution 194 as the basic condition for the establishment of peace and security in the Middle East, respect the outcome of the elections held in Palestine on 25 January 2006 and support steps taken by the Palestinian people to establish legitimate government and other state bodies. The ministers reiterate their support to the settlement plan adopted at the Beirut Summit of the League of Arab States and to the Road Map and land for peace approach and appeal to the United State and the European Union to continue rendering assistance to the Palestinian people.