Yesterday there was an important meeting in Istanbul. The 22nd Anniversary Meeting of the Organization of Economic Cooperation in the Developing Countries (D-8) was held by the Felicity (Saadet) Party. In other words, 22 years have passed since 15 June 1997, which came to minds as yesterday. Ministers of the period, journalists, academics, representatives of political parties also attended the meeting. The opening speech of the meeting was made by the host Saadet Party General Chairman Temel Karamollaoğlu. The speech was based on D-8's contribution to the solution of the world's problems.
ESAM President Mr. Recai Kutan, despite his advanced age, came from Ankara by vehicle. He planned his speech on informing D-8 about the process he has experienced since its inception.
President Abdullah Gül was there. He served as Deputy Prime Minister during the 54th Government. In his speech, Abdullah Gül explained what happened during the establishment of D-8. He also cited the role that the organization could undertake and that each country should first try to correct itself.
The fact that this meeting was held in the same place, the Çırağan Palace, was of particular importance. Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Indonesia and Malaysia state and government officials as well as the text of today, perhaps the most in need of the day we put the signature under it began with 6 principles; As you remember, the first two are not War, Peace! It was dialogue, not conflict. Now, when we look at the world conjuncture, we follow with concern that we are faced with the fact that war tamars are stolen. Today we see more clearly that the D-8, in the manifest of the organization as if to provide a road map for the present day. In addition, as it is known, with the Great Middle East Project, which was put forward in the early 2000s, various pitfalls were built on ethnic and sectarian differences. Today we understand better that D-8 actually envisages all these scenarios and acts with a preventive measure.
D-8 countries today have a population of over 1 billion 100 million. Gross domestic product has exceeded $ 4 trillion. In total, we see that their exports exceeded 1.5 trillion. Their trade volume is over 120 billion dollars. This means that with the further support of the member states for the D-8, this will make significant contributions to both the union and the members themselves.
Finally, I wish God's mercy for the founder of D-8 Prof. Dr. Necmettin Erbakan and everyone who contributed him.
Today, D-8 is a structure that can be thought of whether or not it can be, whether it is or not. It is no one's enemy. It has only one goal; it is to build a world where the righteous one is right, not the strong one. I wish D-8 to be the occasion of the 22nd Anniversary of the D-8 with the hope that tomorrow will be more full than today.