10th PUIC session underway in Istanbul
Istanbul, January 22, AZERTAC
As earlier reported, the 10th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is underway in Istanbul, Turkey. A delegation of Azerbaijani parliamentarians led by Speaker Ogtay Asadov represents Azerbaijan.
Islamic Republic of Iran passed the presidency at PUIC Conference to Turkey.
The conference was addressed by Turkish President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament Ogtay Asadov, Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT) Cemil Çiçek, the Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and others.
Speaker Asadov highlighted the positive results of the cultural, inter-civilizations and inter-religions dialogue policy of Azerbaijan, delivered the views of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Islam as a religion of peace, friendship and solidarity. Asadov reminded that Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan was therefore announced the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2009 and that Nakhchivan has been elected the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2018.
Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament thanked the OIC member states for support in settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the resolutions on unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian troops from the occupied Azerbaijani land, as well as the decisions adopted related to the Khojali genocide.
Speaker Asadov informed the PUIC session participants on quick economic development of Azerbaijan, the achievements gained in humanitarian sphere, the preparatory works underway for Baku-2015 European Games and the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games due in 2017 in Azerbaijan.
Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT) Cemil Çiçek spoke of the latest socio-political tensions and armed conflicts in some Islamic countries, noting that these conflicts become serious threats for the entire world. Turkish Speaker, the new Chairman of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation resolutely condemned the occupation policy of Armenia against Azerbaijan, stating that his country would every time support territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.