A nine member delegation of the European Parliament headed by Mrs. Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU, Vice President of the European Parliament today visited the headquarters of the OIC in Jeddah for meeting with OIC officials. The OIC side was headed by Ambassador Atta Al-Manan Bakheet, Assistant Secretary General. Other senior officials of the OIC also took part in the meeting.

The discussions between the two delegations were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. They exchanged views on different issues of mutual concern and interest in free, frank and constructive manner. The European Parliament side said that the purpose of their visit to the OIC was mainly to find common ground for dialogue and future partnership between the European Union and the OIC. The European Parliament side stressed on the need for regular meetings on socio - economic development issues as well as interfaith dialogue and dialogue among civilizations. The European Parliament side expressed its desire to engage in fruitful cooperation with the OIC on these issues.

Ambassador Manan briefed the European Parliament delegation on the overall policies and activities of the OIC that encompass political, social, cultural, humanitarian and economic fields, he stated that the vision of the OIC was based on the principles of modernization and moderation, and as the largest intergovernmental political body after the UN, the OIC was playing an important role on global peace and security, as well as economic development of its Member States.

In reference to the issue of Inter-civilizational and interfaith dialogue, the OIC delegation reiterated that the OIC was a pioneer on the concept of the dialogue among civilizations and that this was being carried out both among the member states and with other countries including European countries and international organizations such as the European Parliament .The OIC delegation welcomed the European Parliament proposal for greater cooperation with the OIC and that it would welcome concrete proposals in this regard.

The two sides emphasized the need to raise the dialogue at the appropriate political level as well as the grass roots constituencies of the politicians to reach mutual understanding and effectively address the issue of the rising trend of religious incitement and intolerance that is affecting the entire global community.