I am pleased that the esteemed representatives of two important organizations of the international community, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union are brought together for the first time at the OIC-EU Joint Forum in Istanbul.

The Joint Forum is a historic meeting for both its timing and content. This stems from the fact that a number of prominent civilizations have had their cradle as well as their zenith in the regions that are home to those countries which make up the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union. 

The wide range of values, that we today call civilization, define the common level reached by humanity as whole. These values and gains, upheld by all religions and matured throughout a long period of interaction cannot be attributed to a certain culture or people. 

The vast accumulation of knowledge in the fields of science, religion, arts, law, politics and administration held by the peoples gathered under the roofs of these important organizations also forms the material and moral foundations that will help these same peoples to contribute to international peace, stability and prosperity in the future. 

Historic experiences of these nations show that harmony, peace and prosperity are on the rise during periods when mutual understanding, dialogue and cooperation can be established among them. Our past experiences teach us that discriminatory tendencies that cause peoples to exclude one another, not only fuel conflicts but also deprive them of the opportunity of having mutually enriching contributions. 

We believe that the nations united under the roofs of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union are aware that throughout history their successes have been the fruit of interaction and mutual enrichment.

The member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union which share this historic experience and awareness, will contribute significantly to the universal peace and prosperity by coming together in the beginning of the 21st century to collectively define medium and long-term problems that lie before humanity and search solutions for them. In this regard the Organization of the Islamic Conference and European Union Joint Forum constitutes a first step of great importance. 

The past century has witnessed great wars and untold destruction as well as very significant progress of the human race. Scientific and technological innovations have opened new horizons greatly increasing prosperity and the quality of life and welfare of humanity. Respect for human rights and fundamental rights and freedoms have become the common value of the international community. United Nations and other platforms of international cooperation including the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union have proven that efforts aimed at world peace, harmony and solidarity can yield successful results. 

However, these positive developments should not lead us to disregard the fact that a number problems, to start with poverty and inequality in the income distribution are yet to be solved while several threats such as terrorism, pollution, drug trafficking, organized crime, corruption, racism, moral and cultural decay and intolerance have emerged. It must not be forgotten that these threats are aimed at humanity as a whole and that they will sooner or later affect all societies in our rapidly globalizing world.

Undoubtedly, one of the main threats that confronts humanity and needs an urgent and collective solution is terrorism. The terrorist attacks of September 11 have proven in a striking manner, the frightening proportions to which this threat has grown.

Turkey, being one of the countries who suffered most from terrorism over the years, has always argued that terror does not have a religion, a geography or a nationality, it can't be justified by any argument and this threat must be fought without resorting to double standards, in cooperation and solidarity at the international level. 

Terrorism should not be attributed to any religion or ethnic group. In order to solve this problem it is of prime importance that a collective definition of terrorism is agreed upon, that the sociological, political and economic reasons of terror are well defined and that joint action can be taken at the global level. We believe that terrorist organizations should not be defined as one finds it convenient but according to objective criteria and that the fight against terrorism should be conducted in this light. 

It is encouraging to see that both the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the European Union have adopted a forward-looking and responsible attitude in the wake of the events of September 11. 

We believe that great responsibility lies with these two large and effective international organizations.

In such an environment, understanding that the longevity of civilization can only be possible through harmony, tolerance and dialogue has gained importance more that ever. One of the two ideals that the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, has set for Turkish society is the concept of the "level of contemporary civilization." This concept expounds the universal point reached by the achievements of humanity throughout history. Atatürk summarized the second ideal guiding Turkish society by the motto of "peace at home, peace in the world". It is a pleasant coincidence of history that Turkey, a country which has made the ideals of "contemporary civilization" and "peace" the cornerstones of its existence, hosts to the OIC - EU Joint Forum which deals with the political dimension of civilization and harmony. 

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. İsmail Cem, who took the initiative in making this organization possible.

It is my sincere wish that, in line with its historic character, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and European Union Joint Forum yields useful results for all mankind.