Speaking at the 34th Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul, President Erdogan gave important messages from regional unity in the Muslim word to reform in the United Nations.

Emphasizing the importance of cooperation, Erdogan highlighted the importance of regional unity among Muslim countries and stated, “The more we boost our trade among COMCEC members, the stronger we will be.”

More, President Erdogan touched upon the current protectionist policies pursued by government leaders, which can eventually push forward global trade wars. In an extraordinary comment reflecting on the U.S.-imposed trade war and the hegemony of the U.S. dollar in the global economy, Erdogan stated, “In order to break the shackles of imperialism, it is of critical importance to use local currencies in trade amongst ourselves.” This remark is expected to have a triggering effect on trade relations among countries that have suffered from the hegemony of the U.S. dollar in the global market.

In addition to hegemony in global trade, Erdogan also touched upon the “dirty games” pursued by some in the international system in order to set Muslims against each other. He also added, “We should no longer fall into the traps set up by those who act with the logic that a drop of petrol is more valuable than a drop of blood.”

Reforming the UN and war in the Middle East

Before commenting on the current humanitarian situations in Palestine, Syria, and Yemen, President Erdogan re-emphasized his call that urgent reform is required in the United Nations. Known for his motto “the world is bigger than five,” Erdogan called for all members of the UN to have a seat on the Security Council by stating, “All members of the UN must be entitled to be permanent members.”

Moving on to the Middle East, Erdogan argued that the scheme of ‘Great War’ is the reason behind the civil wars, crises, and conflicts in the Muslim world. Criticizing U.S. policies, President Erdogan added that “We will oppose the creation of any new “terror states” in our region by the pretext of Daesh.”

Commenting on terror in the global sense and the unresolved conflict in Syria, President Erdogan said, “We will put things in order in the Syrian conflict, not others. From Berlin to Paris and Brussels to Moscow, we will oppose the murder of innocents by terrorists. We will encourage our citizens to visit Jerusalem and prevent occupiers to turn off the candles of Jerusalem. We will be the first ones to say no to terrorist organizations like FETO, the PKK, and Al-Qaeda, and will not allow them to darken our future. We will increase our voice against oppression and injustice before anyone else.”

*Written by Selahattin Emre Celebi 

On Wednesday a signing ceremony was held during the 33rd Ministerial Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul.

An agreement, where the chiefs of the Turkish Red Crescent, AFAD and TOBB attended, was signed to support 1,500 Palestinian families who migrated to Turkey.

The deal of the project that is planned to start on 1 December this year, was signed between the Turkish Red Crescent, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Credit Guarantee Fund, Turkey’s Disaster Management Agency (AFAD), the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), WAFA Group and the Statistical Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).

“With this broad participated support, our Palestinian siblings can look after themselves and their families,” Kerem Kinik, head of Turkish Red Crescent said while he emphasized the need of decent jobs for Palestinians.

The first step of the project is protection, followed by business and capacity development.

The Islamic Development Bank is said to provide education and mentorship in this second step; people, who can set up businesses and develop projects will be supported.

The third step is providing funding and credit; which Turkey’s Credit Guarantee Fund will be responsible of.

TOBB will undertake the last step, which is about providing network between occupation and entrepreneurs.

*Written by Suna Nur Sarihan. 

The Treasury has signed two financing agreements with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) totaling over 2 billion Turkish liras, when calculated from today’s exchange rate.

Turkey will receive 312 million euros and 200 million dollars. The maturity of the loan is 20 years, including a 5-year grace period.

Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Şimşek and IDB’s President Bandar Hajjar signed the agreement during the 33rd Ministerial Meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation while Turkish President Erdogan was also present.

The loan will be used for the purchase of 10 high-speed train sets within the scope of the “106 High Speed Train Set-up Project” carried out by the General Directorate of Turkish State Railways (TCDD).

The “Clean Energy and Energy Infrastructure Program”

In the same ceremony, another agreement worth $200 million, which will be used in the financing of the “Clean Energy and Energy Infrastructure Program” was signed between the Development Bank of Turkey and IDB under the Turkish Treasury guarantee.

“Let us make more environment friendly cities and infrastructures,” Hajjar added in the ceremony.

Giving information about the IDP, Hajjar said that IDB partnered with COMCEC in order to address issues such as rapid population growth, climate change and spread of diseases.

He added that to address the issue of youth unemployment a five-year program has been launched to improve cooperation between universities, research centers, non-governmental organizations and government departments.

As the highest ministerial platform for the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the second largest inter-governmental organization after the UN – the COMCEC aims to improve economic and commercial relations among member countries.

The organization has its headquarters in Ankara and is chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

It was established during the 3rd Islamic Summit held in 1981 and became operational in 1984.

*Written by Suna Nur Sarihan. 

In the opening speech of the 33^rd Ministerial meeting of COMCEC at Istanbul Congress Center (ICC), Erdogan said: “We have to focus our attention on projects for boosting trade among us,” and urged Muslim countries to favor a preferential system of trade.”

“To improve economic and commercial cooperation among us is essential to offer our people a prosperous life as they deserve,” he said. “So, we have to find ways to use programs such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and COMCEC in more efficient ways.”

“Our duty is to transform the Islamic geography into an important production basin with measures aimed at boosting economic, technological and cultural progress. We have to form a model for it,” he added.

Considering the opportunities brought by the important population of the Muslim world and its underground resources, Erdogan said: “Our main concern is to use these riches.”

“We have to implement the decisions that we make here. The ideas that do not turn into reality are condemned to be a pleasant promise. These meetings should have a meaning. Only this way we will find way to solve ummah’s problems,” Turkish President Erdogan said.

“This is a scenario implemented to destroy the unity of the Islamic world”

President Erdogan said “Killers such as Deash, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, YPG and FETO have transformed our region into a bloodbath. But we should keep the real screenwriters in mind. This is a scenario implemented to destroy the unity of the Islamic world.”

“The western world built themselves a welfare regime over the blood of the oppressed three centuries ago. The West endeavors to extend its life over their resources of the oppressed. Of course, the target here is not just oil. It’s not just underground and over-riches that are plundered. The main goal is to dry the life springs of the Islamic civilization. Because Muslims have succeeded in sustaining their claims globally despite the many attacks they have experienced,” Erdogan said.

“Who are the winners of weapon orders given by Islamic countries from the West? Who benefits if brothers turning themselves to the same direction to pray five times a day become enemies? I believe that if we give answers to these questions we will perceive the issues differently. Muslims cannot accept the role given to them without questioning. It is already clear who formed, fed and raised these herds of killers. We cannot stand by while they become instruments of Islam-hate. It is the intention of all Muslims to be put under the command of terrorist organizations through their actions and to seize even the most basic rights on this pretext. On the other hand, of course, in order to assert this, we also have to have necessary opportunities. Muslims actually have great opportunities. The real issue is to evaluate it properly.”

The COMCEC aims to improve economic and commercial relations among member countries. It is the highest ministerial platform for the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – the second largest inter-governmental organization after the UN.

*Written by Suna Nur Sarihan.