COUNCIL MEETING OF THE (PROSPECTIVE) D-8 GROUP First Session 04 January 1997 - Istanbul JOINT STATEMENT

We the Representatives of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey having met in Istanbul on 4th day of January 1997, at Ministerial level, and.

having reviewed and taken note the Report and the recommendations therein of the Meeting of the Senior Officials (Commission) hel d in Ankara on 09 November 1996.

having noted and discussed the Set of Ideas conceming the scope and objectives of the prospective D-8 Group, as outlined at his opening speech by H.E.Prof.Or. Necmettin Erbakan, Prime Minister of Turkey,

having exchanged views on the world political and eeonoroic situation and their im­pact on our countries,

considering obstacles before our countries’ economies for a faster and healthier growth,
recognizing the need to overcome the existing trade barriers in front of our coun­tries.

having noted the insufficient role and place of our countries’ economies in the global trade activities and in the global economic decision-making processes,
desirous of enhancing the insufficient volume of trade between our countries,

expressing the resolve of our Governments for a wider use of modem technologies and their effective contribution in the economic and social development of our countries,

stressing the immediate need and expectations of our rcspective nations for a higher levcl of development in all its aspects,

emphasizing the globally indispensable importance of the economic resources of our countries,

conscious of the vital geo-strategic locations of our countries in their respective regions,

being aware of the vast common potential ınade up by our countries,

stressing the proven benefits of closer economics co-operation,

having acknowledged that the deep-rooted historical affinities provided a strong basis and framework for mutually beneficial co-operation,

emphasizing that the prospective D-8 Group will be a forum with no adverse effect and prejudice to bilateral and multilateral commitments of the member states emanating from their membership to other international organizations,

I. decided to propose to our Governments to establish a co-operation mechanism which will be called D-8 Group,

2. qua/ifit:(/ the main objective of the proposed D-8 Group to be socio-economic development of our countries and of the developing countries as a whole to be achieved through the following principles :

• peace instead of conflict
• dialogue instead of confrontation
• co-operation instead of exploitation
• justice instead of double-standard
• equality instead of discrimination
• democracy instead of oppression

3 . bearing in mind that co-operation will encompass all areas, including political consuhations, agreed on the number of non-exhaustive areas of co-operation identified by the Commission of enior Officials such as :

• Co-operation among private sectors through the establishment of a Joint Business Council between the Unions of the Chambers of Commerce of the member countries,
• Consultation and collaboration at the international fora,
• Finance and Banking,
• Central Banks,
• Stock Exchange markets,
• Promotion of Investments,
• Joint investments in third countries,
• Privatization,
• Scientific research and development and administrative reforms.
• Technological and industrial co-operation, joint ventures, consortia,
• Technical co-operation inter alia on trade, human resources , development
• and poverty alleviation,
• Transport and telecommunications,
• Medium and Smail Size Enterprises,
• Free Trade Zones and ports and trade promotion, • F aİrs and exhibitions,
• Tourism,
• Energy,
• Environment. development of human resources,
• Health,
• Culture and sports

4. decided that the prospective D-8 Group be a global organization whose member­ship will be open to other developing countries, subscribing to the goals, objectives and principles of the Group and sharing common bonds,

5. agreed that an appropriate mechanism be established to Haise with other rele ant organizations, particularly with the aıc,

6. decided to establish a co-ordinating seeretarial mechanism in i tanbul to be cordinated by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to be expanded and reinforced as necessary by the Summit.. The expenses of the Secretariat will be met by the Turkish Government in the first year,

7. approved the desicion-making method and the organizational structure for the prospective D-8 Group as suggested by the Senior Official (Commission) in the Report of their First Session,

8. resolved to recommend to our Governments to convene a Summit Meeting of Heads of State/Govemment in Istanbul within the first half of 1997, preceded by a meeting of the Commission of Senior Officials, with a view to officially establishing the D-8 Group,

9. entrusted the Commission with the task undertaking necessary administrative work in order to convene the Summit and to prepare the draft Declaration to be submitted to the Summit.