Annex XIV to OIC/COMCEC-FC/33-17/REP
99
Original: English
CLOSING SPEECH BY H.E. AMBASSADOR SALİH MUTLU ŞEN,
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
REPUBLIC OF TURKEY TO THE OIC
THIRTY THIRD MEETING OF THE
FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE OF THE COMCEC
(Ankara, 11 May 2017)
Distinguished Members of the Follow-up Committee,
Esteemed Delegates,
After intensive deliberations, we have successfully concluded the 33 rd Follow-
up Committee Meeting of the COMCEC. We have reviewed various issues
taken up by COMCEC and drawn up its agenda for the 33rd Session. I would
like to express my sincere thanks to all delegations for their active participation
in the Meeting as well as their valuable contributions to the deliberations.
Ultimate aim of COMCEC is to contribute to the development efforts of our
member countries and lay the ground for efficient economic cooperation
among ourselves. Follow-up Committee is definitely one of the most important
cornerstones in this process.
Distinguished Delegates,
The world is getting smaller day by day. Economic and commercial relations
between nations have been stronger than ever due to the enormous strides in
technology and transportation and communication infrastructures.
In this context, as the Islamic countries we should never lag behind. If we
remember the saying of our Prophet Muhammed Aleyhisselam "He whose two
days are equal in accomplishment is sure at loss", it is evident that we all
need to endeavor to be the most progressive societies in the world.
First and foremost, we have to remove the barriers to trade. Besides our trade
facilitation endeavors, we have to take necessary steps for reducing the tariffs
in trade. To that end, we have an available tool in our hand which is TPS-OIC.
Trade Preferential System among the Member States of the OIC, TPS-OIC has
been on our agenda for a long time and we all know the details. For that reason,