Ukraine applies for observer status in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

This is reported by Islam in Ukraine.

At the same time, Ukraine is seeking observer status in the Turkic Council, an international organization that unites Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

As the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported, on November 2, 2020, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova held videoconference talks with the secretary-general of the OIC, Youssef al-Otaimin, during which she resumed Ukraine's request for observer status in the organization, emphasizing that this will contribute to deepening cooperation with the states of the Islamic world.

Kyiv's aspiration aroused the interest of foreign media, in particular Azerbaijani ones. Thus, the correspondent of the Azerbaijani information and analytical portal Caliber.Az I turned to Emina Dzhaparova with questions related to these areas of Ukraine's foreign policy.

According to Emine Dzhaparova, given that the number of Muslims in Ukraine ranges from 1.5 to 2 million, besides the indigenous people, according to various estimates, the Crimean Tatars are Sunni Muslims, Ukraine is engaged in these issues quite actively, and it submitted an application to the organization of Islamic Cooperation several years ago.

According to Ms. Dzhaparova, our country hosts numerous diasporas, including the Azerbaijani one, so, in her opinion, the role of the Islamic factor is quite high, so integrating into the Muslim world through its Muslim citizens is the right way for Ukrainian foreign policy.

The First Deputy Minister expressed regret that the internal regulations of the OIC do not allow us to count on a positive solution to the issue in the near future:

"Unfortunately, today we are "hostages" of the package consideration of issues, and the principle of consensus applies in the OIC. We can't get out of this "package". I had a conversation with the JIS secretary-general and a number of diplomats. Our ambassadors did their job. But Ukraine remains in the "package", and it is impossible to act differently until the internal regulations in the OIC change. But one way or another, we will be present at various environmental events, we will talk about why Ukraine wants to get the status, why it is important for us."

According to Emine Dzhaparova, the prospect of Ukraine obtaining status in the Turkic Council looks more encouraging:

"As for the Turkic Council, the prospect of Ukraine obtaining the status is real and close. Ukraine, thanks to its Crimean Tatar citizens, is also the heir to Turkic culture and Turkic identity. Participation in this organization will strengthen the track of cooperation with the Turkic countries. At a meeting with the Secretary-General of the Turkic Council, Baghdad Amreev, last fall, I was informed that there are many countries that want to get different statuses in this organization. And now, we are working out clear criteria and partnership formats that will be proposed to certain states. Either it's an associate member, or an observer, or something else. We are waiting for these criteria to be approved."

As you know, on December 24, 2020, the first deputy minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine held a meeting with the Secretary-General of the International Organization of Turkic culture (TÜRKSOY) Dyusen Kaseinov. Emine Dzhaparova expressed Ukraine's interest in taking an active part in the organization's activities — this will demonstrate Ukraine's special ties with the Turkic world and contribute to achieving common goals.

The press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also reported on the meeting of Emine Dzhaparova with the ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Ukraine Alisher Kurmanov on March 3 this year. During the meeting, the interlocutors noted the desire of Ukraine and Uzbekistan to intensify bilateral dialogue on a wide range of issues, in particular in the field of trade, cooperation within international organizations, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, and also discussed Ukraine's intention to obtain observer status in the Turkic Council.