Statement of His Excellency Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu Secretary General Of The Organisation Of The Islamic Conference At The Meeting Of The Donors in Support of The Palestinian Authority

Date: 17/12/2007

Paris: 17 December 2007. Votre Excellence M. Bernard Kouchner Ministre des Affaires Etrangères J’aimerais tout d’abord féliciter la France et les co-Présidents pour l’organisation de cette conférence et saluer la présence parmi nous ce matin de Son Excellence le Président de la République M. Nicolas Sarkozy. A cette occasion permettez moi de réaffirmer la solidarité de l’Organisation de la Conférence Islamique avec votre initiative, et notre soutien a tous les efforts qui seront déployés dans ce sens. Mr. Chairman, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, Allow me at the outset to thank His Excellency Minister Bernard Kochner and the Government of France in my own name and on behalf of the OIC for hosting this important international meeting which is an embodiment of the international community’s desire to act toward establishing comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East. This meeting is being held a few weeks after the Annapolis Meeting on the Middle East which revived our hopes for an invaluable occasion to resume a serious and purposeful peace process leading to just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and we hope that unilateral interactions will not impede or fail this historic initiative. I wish to point out here that this outstanding attendance and the wide participation of different countries of the world, with the attendance of a number of OIC Member States and financial institutions in this conference, carries messages of encouragement, hope and support for the Palestinian people that the world will not leave them to their destiny and that it will stand by them in their endeavor to put an end to their suffering. Therefore, this conference is an opportunity for the international community to demonstrate its determination to support the process of establishing the independent Palestinian State and to help end the long-endured suffering of the Palestinian people. Time is right for the Palestinian people, like any other people in the world, to enjoy freedom, independence and exercise their right to self-determination. Ladies and Gentlemen, We appreciate the role played by donors in providing assistance to the Palestinian Authority since its creation, and we are convinced of the need for more support in this important stage where all Palestinian development sectors are in need of assistance. The Organisation of the Islamic Conference has always been one of the main champions of Palestinian national rights and a key supporter of the peace process since it was launched in Madrid in 1991 and acquired an important impetus by the Arab initiative which the OIC is wholeheartedly supporting. Likewise, the OIC has always stood by the Palestinian Authority in the different phases of its establishment. The OIC will do all it can to honor its responsibility and will coordinate with the Member States to guarantee as much support as possible for the comprehensive plan proposed by Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayad. In this connection, I would like to state that a number of OIC organs and funds will contribute to the building of a Palestinian State. The role played by the Islamic Development Bank with its wide experience in development and financing will enable it to contribute effectively. Similarly, the Islamic Solidarity Fund, which has a wide experience in financing projects in Palestine, will also contribute to the building process and will increase its contributions to finance the different development projects. The specialized institutions working under the umbrella of the OIC will also bring their contribution to the development areas in their respective fields of activity. The General Secretariat will also make contacts to urge the private sector and NGOs in the Islamic world to boost investment and development in Palestine. In conclusion, I wish to once again commend all your efforts to provide support and assistance for the Palestinian people to help them build their institutions and restore their economy so that they may live in dignity like all peoples of the world. It is unjust that these people should remain under the yoke of occupation suffering and facing poverty, hunger, unemployment and despair. I pray to Almighty God that He may guide our meeting to reach its noble goals.

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