ISLAMABAD
"I am inviting D-8 countries to take a more effective stance against issues that threaten peace and prosperity of all countries in our region. No single country can maintain stability and economic development on its own in a region of wars, conflicts, terrorism and disputes," Erdogan told leaders of the D-8 countries in the closing session of their summit meeting in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.
Erdogan said D-8 countries could play an effective role in overcoming the global economic crisis, adding that D-8 members needed to boost cooperation and solidarity among themselves.
"Every nation in the world, including the developed ones, should review their economic understanding based on consumption, greed and self-interest. I believe that as the D-8 we could assume a pioneering role in shaping this new perception," Erdogan said.
Erdogan said D-8 countries bear responsibility toward each other, adding, "no one or no country has the right to remain an onlooker or give support to the ongoing bloodshed in our region."
D-8 to be platform gathering emerging economies
Erdogan also said he believed that D-8 would be a platform gathering emerging economies and having a higher voice in regard to global economic and human issues in the future.
Delivering a speech at the D-8 Summit in Pakistan, Erdogan said that Turkey would keep doing its utmost to boost trade under the body of D-8.
Turkey's trade with D-8 countries reached 25.5 billion U.S. dollars in the first eight months of 2012, he said.
There was need to cooperate in areas of rural development, human resources, industry, communication, banking, energy, agriculture and health, he said, adding that joint projects should be developed among D-8 countries.
