Istanbul, April 15 (QNA) - The 13th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul concluded on Friday with the adoption of a joint resolution on Palestine, the organization’s 2016-2025 action plan and an ‘Istanbul Declaration’. 

The Conference reiterated its support for Lebanon in completing the liberation of all its territories from Israeli occupation through all legitimate means; it emphasized the need for Israel’s withdrawal from Shebaa Farms, Kfarchouba Hills and the Lebanese part of Al Ghajar. It called for the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2016); it strongly condemned the continuing Israeli violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty by land, sea and air, including espionage networks planted in Lebanon. It expressed its support for Lebanon in its right to utilize its petroleum and gas resources in the exclusive economic zone. It underscored the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their nation and to reject any form of settlement. 

The Conference strongly condemned the Israeli policy rejecting compliance with Security Council resolution 497 (1981) on the Occupied Golan Heights and its policy of annexation and construction of colonial settlements, confiscation of territories, diversion of water sources and imposition of Israeli citizenship on Syrian nationals. It demanded full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan to the 4 June 1967 borders, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the principle of land for peace and the terms of reference if the Madrid Peace Conference and the Arab Peace Initiative adopted by the Arab Summit in Beirut on 28 March 2002. 

The Conference reiterated its principled position on condemnation of the aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan, reaffirmed that acquisition of territory by use of force is inadmissible under the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and urged for strict implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993) and 884 (1993) and for immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia from the Nagorno-Karabakh region and other occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 

The Conference reaffirmed its strong support for the Afghan National Unity Government established following the Presidential elections in 2014, and urged the OIC Member States and the international community to continue their assistance and support to the people and Government of Afghanistan in their efforts to fight terrorism, counter the drug trafficking, achieve security, stability, as well as comprehensive and sustainable development. 

The Conference welcomed and supported Afghan-led and Afghan-owned Peace and Reconciliation efforts for reaching lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. The Conference further supported the efforts and initiatives of the Secretary General including the convening of an International UlemaConference in order for the OIC to assume a more active role in national reconciliation process as well as in helping restoration of peace and security in Afghanistan. 

The Conference also reiterated the importance of enhanced regional cooperation for ensuring sustained peace and stability in Afghanistan and beyond and in this context commend the progress made by the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process since its inception, which proved to be a useful platform to address the challenges which Afghanistan and the region face, with a spirit of responsibility and ownership. 

The Conference welcomed in this regard the establishment in January 2016 of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States of America on the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned Peace and Reconciliation Process with a view to achieving lasting peace and security in Afghanistan and the region. 

The Conference reaffirmed its principled support forthe people of Jammu and Kashmir for the realization of their legitimate right to self-determination, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It further reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir is the core dispute between Pakistan and India and its resolution is indispensable for bringing peace in South Asia. 

The Conference reaffirmed its solidarity with the Government and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It called upon all political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to join their forces together in expediting the reform process towards building a better future of the country and its people. It called upon all Member States to intensify their cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina particularly to intensify their economic ties with the country for the well-being and prosperity of the country and its people. 

The Conference reiterated OIC’s support and cooperation towards Kosovo and its people and recalled the Resolution No. 18/42-POL adopted by the 42nd CFM in Kuwait which called upon Member States to consider recognizing the independence of Kosovo in accordance with their free sovereign right and their respective national legislations. The Conference also called upon Member States to support Kosovo in different international Fora. 

The Conference stressed the need for the cooperative relations between Islamic States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to be based on the principle of good-neighborliness, non-interference in their domestic affairs, respect for their independence and territorial sovereignty, resolving differences by peaceful means in accordance with the OIC and the UN charters and the principles of international law, and refraining from the use or threat of force. 

The Conference condemned the aggressions against the missions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Tehran and Mashhad in Iran, which constitute a flagrant violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and international law which guarantees the inviolability of diplomatic missions. 

The Conference rejected Iran’s inflammatory statements on the execution of judicial decisions against the perpetrators of terrorist crimes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, considering those statements a blatant interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a contravention of the United Nations Charter, the OIC Charter and of all international covenants. 

The Conference deplored Iran’s interference in the internal affairs of the States of the region and other Member States including Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, and Somalia, and its continued support for terrorism.

The Conference also appreciated and welcomed national contribution by OIC Member States in resolving the crisis in Syria and in restoring peace in this country. 

The Conference welcomed the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution No. 2254 on Syria endorsing an international roadmap for a peace process in Syria. Adoption of the resolution showed the global unity on a conflict that has claimed almost 300,000 lives. The Conference stressed the need to implement this resolution. 

The Conference expressed its hope that the negotiations of the Syrian parties starting on 13 April 2016 in Geneva would lead to constructive and positive outcomes that will help in resolving the Syrian crisis as soon as possible. It commended in this regard the efforts of the United Nations envoy Staffande Mistura in encouraging political dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition. 

The Conference reiterated its appreciation to the neighboring countries notably Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey for generously hosting of Syrian refugees, and commended also other friendly States for the support extended to these refugees. 

The Conference called on the international community and OIC Member States to support Syrian refugees and countries hosting them as soon as possible, and to develop resettlement programmes for Syrian refugees in order to alleviate their plights and that of the hosting States. 

The conference commended the sincere efforts by the State of Kuwait to host three international donor conferences to support the humanitarian situation in Syria in 2013, 2014, and 2015, and its effective participation in chairing the 4th donor conference held recently in the British capital, London, on 4th February 2016 in partnership with United Kingdom, the Republic of Germany, Kingdom of Norway, and United Nations in response to the serious humanitarian crisis facing the innocent brotherly Syrians. It expressed deep gratitude to all states, organizations and donor institutions which pledged to donate funds in excess of USD 11 billion to achieve the desired objectives of this conference, and invited states and others organizations to contribute to providing assistance to the Syrian People. 

The Conference welcomed the signature on 17 December 2015 of the Libyan Political Agreement of Skhirat, Morocco to form a Government of National Accord consisting of the Presidency Council and Cabinet supported by other institutions of state. It also welcomed formation of the Presidency Council and Government of National Accord. 

The Conference requested OIC Member States to work with the Libyan authorities and UNSMIL to develop a coordinated package of support to build the capacity of the Government of National Accord, in line with Libyan priorities and in response to requests for assistance.

The Conference commended the progressive increase in intra-OIC trade from 18.64% in 2013 to 19.33% in 2014 occasioned by the implementation of trade financing and trade promotion initiatives. While taking note of the entry into force of the OIC Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System (TPS-OIC), its Protocol and Rules of Origin, it underscored the need for earlier completion of necessary formalities for the activation of the trade facilitation mechanism. It also called for increased actions in the manufacturing and services sectors. In this regard, the Conference welcomed the establishment of OIC City of Tourism Award and recognized its relevance to promote intra-OIC cooperation in tourism services’ sector. 

The Conference welcomed the establishment of Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan, as a new specialized institution of the Organization, and looked forward to its active role in increasing intra-OIC cooperation in this important sector. In this regard, the Conference noted with satisfaction the implementation of the OIC Framework for Cooperation on Labour, Employment and Social Protection, notably its relevant joint actions in the domain of occupational safety and health; legal protection for employees; and social security protection for workers. For the purposes of food self-sufficiency and security of the Muslim world, the Conference supported the need for possible joint venture agro-projects, under commercial as well as Government arrangements within OIC mechanism, for production of cereal grains and development offood reserves and food banks in order to cater for the vulnerable segments of the population of the Muslim world, with related distribution arrangements. These arrangements could serve the purposes of humanitarian assistance to famine-stricken communities, displaced people and refugees in dire need of relief as well as for Member States sufferingserious and chronic food deficit.