The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, strongly appeals for utmost restraint and responsibility in order to peacefully resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. In this regard, he urged all relevant parties to resume negotiations and facilitate the International Atomic Energy Agency's work and expeditiously settle the outstanding issues. Prof. Ihsanoglu, while recalling the position taken by the OIC during the 33rd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Baku in June 2006, reaffirmed the inalienable right of all Member States, including Iran, to develop, research, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, in accordance with their respective obligations. The Secretary General, while expressing his support and solidarity with Iran, conveyed his concern over the pressures being mounted against that country since they could complicate the existing volatile situation in the region and beyond. In view of the already existing inflammatory situation in the region, the OIC Secretary General reiterated that there was a need in the Middle East for a new peace and security initiative and creation of a mechanism to be formulated through negotiations and which would eventually lead to a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region and grant the Middle East the status of a region “free of nuclear weapons”.
