Latest news with #OICCouncilofForeignMinisters


Maroc
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
51st OIC FM Council Hails HM the King's Efforts in Favor of Africa
The Foreign Ministers of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), meeting on June 21–22 in Istanbul for the 51st session of their Council, commended the initiative of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God Assist Him, aimed at granting Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean. The Islamic Foreign Ministers emphasized the strategic importance of this Royal Initiative, which falls within the framework of Morocco's active solidarity with its African sister nations in general, and the Sahel region in particular. They also praised the Initiative of the Atlantic African States, launched by His Majesty the King, may God Glorify Him, as an African partnership process aimed at strengthening cooperation and integration among African countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean, with the goal of fostering peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the region. In this regard, the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers also lauded the role of His Majesty King Mohammed VI as the African Union's Leader on Migration, as well as Morocco's continued role as a "Champion Country" for the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration. In the area of counterterrorism, the ministers welcomed the designation of the Kingdom of Morocco by the United Nations as a partner to host the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa, inaugurated on June 24, 2021, in Rabat. They also praised Morocco's experience through its chairmanship of the Africa Focus Group within the Global Coalition against Daesh, and all efforts undertaken by the Kingdom at both regional and international levels. On this occasion, Morocco was elected as a member of the OIC's Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission for a three-year term, in recognition of the Kingdom's prominent role in promoting and protecting human rights both nationally and internationally. (MAP: 23 June 2025)


Business Recorder
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Iran has right to defend itself, Dar tells OIC
ISTANBUL: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday expressed concern at the rising tensions in the Middle East and said that Iran has the full right to defend itself. Addressing the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers regarding Israeli aggression against Iran, Foreign Minister Dar said that Pakistan strongly condemns Israel's aggression against Iran, calling Israeli actions a serious violation of international law. He stated that Israeli aggression poses a threat to global peace and that Pakistan fully supports Iran's right to self-defense under the UN Charter. He criticised the double standards applied to Israel and emphasised that peace in the region must not be compromised. Ishaq Dar to represent Pakistan at 51st OIC FMs session in Türkiye Dar said that dialogue is the only viable solution to the conflict between Iran and Israel. Pakistan is taking all necessary steps for regional peace and stability and will continue to play its role in promoting peace. Condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression against the sovereignty of Iran, the foreign minister called for accountability of Israel's unjustified and illegitimate actions. He said that Pakistan condemned in the strongest terms Israel's unjustified and illegitimate aggression against the Islamic republic. 'We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Iran and offer condolences on the loss of numerous lives as a result of targeting of the civilian areas by Israel.' He said that Israeli aggression had taken place at a time when the IAEA was continuing its verification process; thus, Israel violated international laws and several IAEA statutes and resolutions by attacking the IAEA safeguarded facilities. These attacks risked setting a dangerous precedent and posed a grave threat to the safety of populations in the region and around the globe, he said, adding 'Pakistan fully supports Iran's inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, in response to the blatant and unprovoked Israeli aggression. 'Israeli aggression against Iran is not an isolated event. It is part of a dangerous and consistent pattern of militarism that Israel has demonstrated across the Middle East,' Dar observed. Israeli aggression represented a dangerous escalation and was a serious threat to peace and stability, not only of the region, but the wider world as well, he added. Dar said as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, at Iran's request, Pakistan fully supported convening an urgent meeting of the council last week to discuss Israeli aggression and called on the council to urgently take action to end Israeli aggression. 'But unfortunately, the UNSC remains paralyzed,' he regretted. Pakistan also supported various other initiatives related to Iran, including a statement by the Foreign Ministers of several Islamic countries, as well as within the SCO and the IAEA. 'We also support the resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through peaceful means, diplomatic engagement, and sustained dialogue.'


Express Tribune
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Field Marshal Asim in Turkiye amid war
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir meet Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on the sidelines of the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. Photo: Radio Pakistan After a nearly weeklong visit to the United States, Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir on Saturday arrived in Istanbul in what seems part of Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to seek an end to the ongoing Iran-Israel war. His meeting at the White House with US President Donald Trump discussed the Middle East crisis in detail and the army chief reportedly communicated Pakistan's concerns about the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The army chief, in line with Pakistan's stated position, pushed for a diplomatic solution to the conflict that has the potential to engulf the entire region. After over two-hour long meeting with the Pakistani army chief, President Trump said Pakistan knew better about Iran than most others. He also said Pakistan was not happy about "anything." Though, the US President did not elaborate, Pakistan's unhappiness stems from the fact that the Iran-Israel war has huge repercussions for the country. It is believed that Trump listened to the Pakistani military leader's opinion on the Iran-Israel war carefully and some even linked the US President's decision to delay his decision on joining Israel against Iran for two weeks to his meeting with Field Marshal Munir. The army chief's arrival in Istanbul lends credence to reports that Pakistan might be playing some role to defuse the crisis. Interestingly, the Iranian foreign minister is also in Istanbul as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Israel-Iran war. There is no clarity whether the army chief will have any meeting scheduled with the Iranian foreign minister. But observers believe that such a meeting is not ruled out given Pakistan's desire to seek an end to the conflict. Pakistan has emerged as one of the key players as it enjoys close ties with Iran while developing a close bonhomie with President Trump. Experts say Pakistan is uniquely positioned to play a role of a mediator between the US and Iran. However, others say that the US has a direct channel of communications with Iran through President Trump's special envoy on the Middle East. Pakistan, nevertheless, may be part of the multiple diplomatic channels seeking a political solution to the crisis. Meanwhile, a statement issued here by the foreign office said Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, called on the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul during his visit to attend the 51st session of OIC CFM. He was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. During the meeting, the DPM/FM, conveyed warm greetings of Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, to President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, and underscored the profound importance that Pakistan accords to its enduring bilateral relations with Türkiye. Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and diversify the longstanding brotherly cooperation between the two countries. The leaders expressed strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks in blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law; reiterated support for Iran's sovereignty, territorial integrity and its right to self-defense under the UN Charter; agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation; and urged the international community to play its part in restoring peace and stability in the region. Both sides emphasised the urgency of galvanizing efforts to bring an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza. The DPM/FM congratulated President Erdogan on the Award conferred by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum in recognition of his leadership as well as successful holding of the OIC CFM session.


Express Tribune
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, Turkiye reaffirm strategic ties; condemn Israeli aggression
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir meet President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul on Saturday on the sidelines of the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. — Photo: Radio Pakistan Listen to article Pakistan and Turkiye reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and strategic ties, as the leadership of both countries jointly condemned ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza and expressed firm support for Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity under international law, Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday. The commitment was reiterated during a key meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, held in Istanbul on the sidelines of the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, also participated in the meeting, reflecting the strategic nature of the bilateral relationship. During the talks, the two sides strongly condemned Israel's continued aggression in Gaza, terming it a blatant violation of international law and humanitarian norms. They underscored the urgent need to halt the Israeli military campaign and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian population. Read More: Turkiye's Erdogan warns OIC against 'new Sykes-Picot order' in Middle East The leaders also expressed full support for Iran's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its right to self-defence under the United Nations Charter. They agreed on the importance of pursuing diplomatic avenues to de-escalate rising tensions in the region and called on the international community to play its part in restoring peace and stability. Dar conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's warm greetings to President Erdogan and reaffirmed Pakistan's deep appreciation for its enduring relationship with Turkiye, rooted in shared values, history, and mutual trust. The Deputy Prime Minister also congratulated President Erdogan on Turkiye's successful hosting of the OIC foreign ministers' summit and the leadership award conferred upon him by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, acknowledging his role in advancing the Muslim world's collective interests. The presence of Field Marshal Asim Munir at the meeting underscored the comprehensive and strategic dimension of Pakistan-Turkiye ties, encompassing both diplomatic and defence cooperation.

Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Iran foreign minister to attend OIC meet in Turkey on Saturday, source says
Iran foreign minister to attend OIC meet in Turkey on Saturday, source says ANKARA - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is expected to attend a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul on Saturday, a Turkish foreign ministry source said on Thursday, as war rages between Israel and Iran. The source said a special session of the 51st OIC Council of Foreign Ministers is expected to focus on Israel's recent strikes against Iran, including Thursday's attack on the Khondab nuclear site in Arak. The Israeli military said it targeted a partially built heavy-water reactor at the site, which experts say could produce weapons-grade plutonium. Turkey has sharply criticised Israel, called its actions illegal and said Iran was legitimately defending itself. Opening the two-day summit, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to call on Muslim countries to unite in the face of "destabilising actions" across the region, the ministry source said. President Tayyip Erdogan will also address the conference. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which includes 57 member states, has long served as a political and diplomatic forum for Muslim countries. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.