Erdogan calls on D-8 countries to make more active role

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday urged the D-8 group of countries to play a more active role to overcome regional threats. "I am inviting D-8 group members to take a more effective stance against issues that threaten peace and prosperity of all countries in our region. No single country can maintain stability and economic development on its own in a region of wars, conflicts, terrorism and disputes," Erdoğan said. Stating that members of the D-8 group of countries could play an effective role in overcoming the global economic crisis, Erdogan said, "Every nation in the world, including developed ones, should review their economic understanding based on consumption, greed and self-interest. I believe that, as the D-8, we could assume a pioneering role in shaping this new perception," Erdogan said, adding that D-8 countries bear a responsibility towards each other. Erdogan also said that the D-8 should be in contact with such organizations as the Organization for Economic Cooperation, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation, relevant UN agencies, Southeast Asian Union, Pacific Islands Forum and African Union, suggesting that a workshop is organized to find out what could be done on the issue. Erdogan added that he believed that the D-8 would become a platform with a much stronger voice in the future, saying, "We may turn the D-8 into a beacon of light to solve regional issues." The D-8 summit was also attended by representatives from Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh and Nigeria.