He was addressing the opening session of the 7th UNAOC Global Forum in Baku Apr. 26.
Holding the UNAOC Global Forum in Baku is of great importance, since Azerbaijan is the historical center of civilizations, said Erdogan.
Unfortunately, despite all efforts, the world is still unable to confront the growing radicalism and terrorism, he noted.
"Terror and terrorism have nothing in common with Islam," said the president adding that terrorists don`t have religious affiliation and national identity.
Erdogan went on to add that Islam is the religion of peace, which calls for brotherhood.
“We are in Azerbaijan, where ancient cultures and peoples have been coexisting. On the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, this year was declared ‘Multiculturalism year’ in Azerbaijan,” Erdogan said.
Turkey’s president recalled that eleven years ago Turkey and Spain joitnly put forward the initiative to create the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
“I thank all friendly countries which support our targets on tolerance and dialogue,” Erdogan said. “But still there is a long way to go before we get to the Alliance’s goals. We have not been able to eradicate discriminatory thoughts about people’s beliefs and ethnic identity and demonstrate a common anti-terrorist fight expected from us.”
Over 140 countries support UN Alliance of Civilizations - Erdogan
26 April 2016
Read: 2016
More than 140 countries support the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), Turkey`s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Apr. 26 in Baku.
