OIC secretary general meets French foreign minister

Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu who is in Paris, has met with French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Laurent Fabius. The meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen the existing relations between France and the OIC. They also discussed the main regional issues, including the situation in Syria and Mali, as well as the Middle East peace process. This meeting signals the determination of the French authorities to intensify their political dialogue and their cooperative relations with the OIC and its secretary general, in light of the key role they play within the Islamic world. He also reiterated President Hollande's invitation to him for visiting Paris again in the coming months. Secretary General Ihsanoglu, who is visiting Paris on the invitation of French foreign minister, welcomed the interest and commitment of the new French Government to further develop relations with the OIC and expressed his readiness to engage in regular political dialogue and to explore further avenues of cooperation with France. In this respect, he invited a delegation from the French Foreign Ministry to OIC General Secretariat in order to have further consultations on concrete areas of cooperation. He also invited Minister Fabius to visit OIC Headquarters at an appropriate time. Secretary General Ihsanoglu and French Foreign Minister Fabius exchanged views about the developments in Syria and Mali, as well as on the repercussions of the production of despicable anti-Islam film and the publication of offensive caricatures in France. Secretary General indicated the necessity to show respect to sanctity of religious values and underlined the need to refrain from abusing freedom of expression. The two sides called on the international community not to be held hostage of the extremists on either side. During his visit to France, OIC Secretary General will also meet the OECD Secretary General and address the OECD Permanent Council where he will focus on the potential cooperation between the OECD and OIC member states. He will also meet with the OIC Group of Ambassadors accredited to UNESCO.