FRUITFUL MEETING WITH NAJIB - OIC SEC-GEN

By Nor Faridah Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- Organisation of the Islamic Conference
(OIC) secretary-general Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who met Prime Minister
Najib Tun Razak Tuesday, described the meeting as successful.

He said that various issues were discussed and he also took the opportunity
to brief Najib on OIC's activities in political issues, economic matters and
increasing trade among OIC member states.

Intra-OIC trade is expected to reach 20 per cent in 2015 as compared with
16.67 per cent last year and 14.5 per cent in 2004.

"This was my first meeting with Prime Minister Najib after his appointment
as the prime minister. We had the opportunity of discussing a variety of issues.
It was a very candid and sincere talk and very fruitful meeting," he told
Bernama here Tuesday.

He said that issues concerning the situation of Muslim communities in
Southeast Asia and other non-OIC countries were also discussed, apart from
developments in the Middle East, Somalia and Afghanistan.

Ihsanoglu said that Najib had assured him of Malaysia's continuing support
of the OIC which groups 57 member states.

"It was a very fruitful and successful meeting, I must admit, and I am
impressed by the personality and stature of the prime minister. I consider
myself lucky to have this opportunity of meeting him," he said.

Early Tuesday, Ihsanoglu delivered a keynote address on the role of the OIC
in enhancing economic cooperation among Muslim countries at the International
Conference on Islamic Economies and the Economies of the OIC Countries which
began today.

The conference, organised by the International Islamic University Malaysia
and Islamic Development Bank, ends Wednesday.

-- BERNAMA