Gul hails democratic process in Egypt

Turkish President Abdullah Gul made a presentation on the works of the Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (COMCEC) during the 12th summit meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Egypt's capital Cairo. Gul said that the world economy has faced important crises in the last five years. "In this process, unemployment rose and poverty became wider. The COMCEC has diversified its cooperation fields to eradicate the negative effects of economic developments and to find solutions to countries' common problems. We have taken important steps to launch the Trade Preferential System (TPS-OIC). The Standard&Poors OIC/COMCEC 50 Shariah Index was launched last year. I would like to assure you that The COMCEC will maintain its activities resolutely with a new strategy document and status in order to contribute to the mutual welfare of our brother countries," Gul said.  Gul also said that Israeli's settlements in occupied Palestinian lands posed a grave threat to a lawful and permanent peace in the Middle East, adding, "Furthermore, the Israeli settlers recklessly continue assaulting mosques and churches in Eastern Jerusalem and the West Bank in a bid to eradicate the Islamic and Christian pasts and history of Jerusalem."