“Terrorism cannot be justified by any motivation” and the Middle Eastern conflict must find a solution of “two states” in conformity with international law and the resolutions of the UNO. These are the two key points of the final declaration, published on 13 February, at the end of the joint Forum between the European Union and the Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) which was held in Istanbul in the presence of the representatives of 74 countries. Representing the EU at the Forum was the current President of the Council of Ministers, and Spanish Foreign Minister, Josep Piqué, and the Commission’s ‘foreign minister’ Javier Solana. “This Forum – said Msgr. Louis Pelatre, Vicar Apostolic of Istanbul – could represent a step forward in the improvement of relations with the religious minorities in Turkey and hence also in the possibility of obtaining juridical recognition of the Church”. The fact that on 12 February the Turkish Council of ministers approved a decree law that would permit Amnesty International to open an office in Turkey is a promising sign in this direction.
