Istanbul. TurkicWorld, 28 November 2022

The President of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan received the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), H.E. Hissein Brahim Taha in Istanbul on 28 November 2022 on the sidelines of the 38th Session of the OIC Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC).

President Erdogan commended the efforts made by the OIC General Secretariat, and the OIC institutions working in the area of economic and commercial cooperation. The President welcomed the operationalization of the Trade Preferential System (TPS-OIC) which will be instrumental to further promote trade exchanges among the OIC Member States and requested to encourage the other Member States to join the System.

The President also discussed the issue of Palestine especially the recent developments relating to cause of Al-Quds and called for stronger collective action in support of the Palestinian cause. His Excellency also emphasized the need to continue addressing the just causes of Muslim communities around the world including the Turkish Cypriots, Rohingya, Uighurs, Kashmiris as well as the Turkish Muslim Minority in Western Thrace. In this regard, His Excellency reaffirmed the readiness of Turkiye to extend all possible assistance for the efforts of the OIC.

The President underscored the need for continued efforts of the OIC Member States to reform and strengthen the capacity and role of the Organization and its organs and institutions.

During the meeting, the Secretary-General expounded his views on an array of major issues on the OIC agenda, particularly the political developments including the Al-Quds as well as a number of regional and international issues in the OIC Member States.

The Secretary-General deliberated on the programs and activities aimed at promoting greater intra-OIC cooperation in various domains including socio economic development of Member States.

The Secretary-General thanked the President for the successful chairmanship of the COMCEC especially the extensive efforts undertaken for the successful outcome of this session under which a range of economic and commercial activities are being reviewed and implemented.