The 13th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has today kicked off in Istanbul.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva are attending the Summit.

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev and other heads of state and government.

Then the heads of state and government posed together for photographs.

The Summit is held under the motto “Unity and Solidarity for Justice and Peace”.

The event started with the recitation of verses from the Quran.

Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry, whose country chaired the 12th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, praised the OIC`s activity in terms of protecting the interests of Muslims and Islamic countries. The FM announced that the chairmanship of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation passed from Egypt to the Republic of Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who accepted the chairmanship of the OIC, expressed hope that this event would be a success for the entire Islamic world.

Secretary General of the OIC Iyad Ameen Madani thanked Turkey for the excellent organization of the Summit, as well as the active protection of the interests of Islamic countries in the world. The Secretary General of the OIC said Armenia continues its aggressive policy against Azerbaijan. He underlined that finding a soonest possible solution to the conflicts in Muslim countries was the key task facing the world community. The Secretary General said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Iyad Ameen Madani noted that the OIC would continue to support Azerbaijan in the settlement of the problem. The Secretary General expressed his confidence that the OIC Istanbul Summit would demonstrate fair and resolute stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as it did with respect to the conflicts in other Muslim countries.

Then a short documentary on the developments taking place in Muslim countries was screened.

Speeches on behalf of groups of Asian, Arab and African countries were heard.

President Ilham Aliyev addressed the event on behalf of Asian group. The Azerbaijani President wished Turkey success in its new chairmanship.

Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani addressed the Summit on behalf of Arab countries, while Gambian President Yahya Jammeh on behalf of African countries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked the heads of state for their speeches.

Then King of Saudi Arabia Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud made a speech at the event.