ISTANBUL
The Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, or D-8, has offered its condolences over the death of former Turkish president Suleyman Demirel.
“Our hearts are profoundly laden with sorrow at the passing away of Demirel. I express my deepest condolences in this sorrowful moment,” said Ali-Mohammad Mousavi, the head of the D-8, on Friday.
Mousavi said Demirel would be remembered as “a great statesman in the history of Turkey”.
Demirel died of heart failure due to respiratory tract infection at the age of 91 late Tuesday night.
He was one of Turkey’s most prominent center-right political figures. He served as the country's prime minister seven times and was president from 1993 to 2000.
Demirel was the first-term president of the intergovernmental organization between 1997 and 1999 and chaired its founding summit in Istanbul in 1997.
Mousavi said his thoughts and prayers were with Demirel’s family.
The D-8 is an organization that aims to develop cooperation among Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey and improve member states’ visibility and status in the global economy.
