OIC calls for end to Turkish Cypriots' isolation

They finalized their three-day meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan and referred to the unjust isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots in each of the Final Declaration's documents.

In the decision entitled "The Situation in Cyprus," the foreign ministers expressed their commitment to establishing direct relations and cultivating ties with the Turkish Cypriot people, especially in scientific, cultural, educational and social areas. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) considers this a step towards recognition. The decision also underlined that political and diplomatic relations with Turkish Cypriots should be developed by encouraging investments in the TRNC and visits of business delegations.

The OIC member states also expressed their disappointment over the uncompromising attitude of the Greek Cypriots in the Cyprus dispute and underlined the need for the international community to call for the Greek Cypriot administration to support efforts to find a solution in line with the Annan plan.

The foreign ministers also expressed concern over certain initiatives that aim to block efforts to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and promised to support efforts to lift all embargoes.

The OIC also expressed its support for Turkey's 10-point action plan to resolve the Cyprus dispute, which was made public in January and suggested simultaneously ending the Turkish Cypriots' isolation and opening Turkish ports and harbors to the Greek Cypriots. "A solution on Cyprus should be based on the equality of the two communities," the report said.

The OIC foreign ministers also urged the international community to respect the rights of Turks in Western Thrace as stipulated in international agreements such as the Treaty of Lausanne.

The final declaration underlined that Western Thrace Turks have the right to choose their muftis (religious leaders) and called on Athens to recognize those chosen by the Turkish community.

Recalling that Greece previously canceled the citizenship of Turkish minorities who visited Turkey and that some 60 Turks were expatriated under the Greek law, the OIC called on Greece to abandon the practice.

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