REPORT OF THE MEETING OF COUNCIL OF D-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS
VI. SESSION (New York, 28 September 2003)

1. In his opening statement, the Chairman, Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, after welcoming his colleagues, stated that the D-8 should do more to consolidate and enhance the cooperation among the member countries in order to achieve concrete results. Referring to the WTO Meeting in Cancun, he added that notwithstanding the resistance from the developed countries to the legitimate demands of developing countries we should maintain the dialogue with them in order to achieve our objectives.

2. The Ministers approved the agenda recommended by the Commission.

3. The Foreign Minister of Egypt presented the Report of the XIII. Session of the Commission. Then the Chairman of the Commission gave further details.

4. Executive Director presented his oral report on the activities of the Group since the last Council meeting.

5. Thereafter, the Council reviewed the progress in D-8 activities. The Foreign Minister of Egypt, underlining the importance of arriving a final decision on IMTC Project, urged the member countries to give their responses on this matter as soon as possible. He also underlined the importance of revitalisation and enhancement of D-8 cooperation and referred in this context to the Special Session of the Commission which will soon meet to take up this subject. The Council endorsed the decisions of the XI. and XII. Sessions of the Commission.

6. On the agenda item: ” Preparations for the Forthcoming Summit”, the Chairman summarised the discussions which took place in the Commission meeting on this matter. Then, the Iranian Foreign Minister gave the following timetable for the Summit meeting.
-17 February 2004: Summit meeting
-16 February 2004: The arrival of the Heads of State and Government
-15 February 2004: Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (VII. Session)
-14 February 2004: Meeting of the Commission (XV. Session)
The Iranian Foreign Minister also informed the Council that his authorities were planning to organise the II. Business Forum and a meeting of D-8 Ministers of Trade and Economy.

7. The Foreign Ministers expressed their appreciation to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for taking over the chairmanship of D-8. They agreed in principle with the timetable mentioned above, but added that they would confirm it. The member countries are expected to give their confirmation within three weeks.

8. The Foreign Ministers underlined the importance of involvement of private sectors in D-8 cooperation and stated that the Business Forum would constitute an important means to this end. They also concurred with the usefulness of a meeting of Ministers of Trade and Economy in order to push D-8 cooperation and obtain concrete results with the provisio that there should be a specific and well-prepared agenda. Such a meeting which will be linked with the Business Forum will be instrumental to encourage private sectors to participate in D-8 cooperation. Concerning the specific agenda of an eventual meeting of Ministers of Trade and Economy, it was suggested that subjects such as reductions of tariffs, elimination of trade barriers and harmonisation on WTO matters might be included in it.

9. Under the item: “Any Other Business” the Representative of Bangladesh informed the Council that his authorities were planning to organise the expert group meeting on shipping in early 2004 and now making the necessary preparations for it.
The Foreign Ministers agreed to follow the Madrid meeting on the “Reconstruction of Iraq” bilaterally rather than as a D-8 Group.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan brought to the attention of the Council the proposal made by H.E. President of Pervez Musharraf on the strategy of Enlightened Moderation.

10. The Foreign Ministers expressed their appreciation to the Executive Director and his staff for their efficient work.