No:123/17, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen

Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen within his official visit to Azerbaijan.

Sides expressed their satisfactions with the development of high level cooperation between Azerbaijan and OIC. Minister E.Mammadyarov noted that Azerbaijan pays special attention to the comprehensive development of relations with the OIC and in this regard, characterized the OIC as a unique platform in advancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Islamic World. Furthermore, E.Mammadyarov recalled the declaration of 2017 as a year of Islamic Solidarity Year in Azerbaijan by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E Mr. Ilham Aliyev and added that opening ceremony of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games will be held on May 12.

E.Mammadyarov stressed Azerbaijan’s interest in enhancing of the OIC’s role in the international arena and said that during its presidency in the UN Security Council, at the initiative of Azerbaijan a high-level meeting of the Security Council convened on the theme of “Strengthening partnership synergy between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)”. He added that the initiative itself demonstrates the strategic nature of the OIC-Azerbaijan partnership, as well as contributes to the enhancement of the OIC-UN cooperation.

Furthermore, Minister E.Mammadyarov put special accent to unambiguous and unanimous condemnation by the OIC the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and support for the “Justice for Khojaly” International Campaign. He also talked about the importance of establishment of Contact Group on the aggression by Armenia against Azerbaijan at the OIC Istanbul Summit on April 2016.

Secretary General Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen noted that Azerbaijan is being turned to an excellent venue for hosting events on inter-religious tolerance and intercultural dialogue and in this regard, highly appreciated praiseworthy efforts of Azerbaijan for promoting Islam as a religion of peace, cooperation and friendship and presenting true values of Islam.

Minister E.Mammadyarov mentioned that Armenia is pursuing the policy of destruction of Islamic cultural heritage and places of worships in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, he recalled the relevant resolutions adopted by the OIC and stressed the importance of efforts by all member states to make Armenia end the vandalism acts.

Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen reiterated the OIC firm support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

At the meeting sides also exchanged views on development of sectoral cooperation, structural reforms within the OIC and cooperation with the other international organizations.