H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Cevdet YILMAZ, Vice-President of Türkiye, on 4 July 2023 in Ankara, Türkiye. The aim of the meeting was to foster dialogue and strengthen ties between the SESRIC, a subsidiary organ of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Türkiye, a member state of the OIC.

During the meeting, both dignitaries engaged in productive discussions on the challenges and opportunities facing OIC countries in the current global context. They stressed the importance of enhanced bilateral engagement to address common issues and achieve shared goals.

H.E. SELÇUK thanked H.E. YILMAZ for Türkiye's active role within the OIC and for promoting unity and solidarity among member countries. She referred to Türkiye's historical and cultural ties with many OIC countries and appreciated the country's contributions to the OIC's initiatives and programs.

Recognizing the paramount importance of enhancing dialogue among OIC countries, H.E. YILMAZ underscored Türkiye's steadfast pledge to support and collaborate with SESRIC, alongside other OIC countries in various fields. He emphasized the crucial role of economic, political, and cultural exchanges in nurturing peace and fostering prosperity within OIC countries by reaffirming Türkiye’s active participation in the COMCEC, which has demonstrated its central role in advancing OIC's collective initiatives for the benefit of OIC countries.

The discussions between H.E. SELÇUK and H.E. YILMAZ covered several areas of interest related to the Centre’s mandates, mainly economic development, statistical capacities, social and economic research as well as cultural exchanges among OIC countries. The courtesy visit concluded with a positive promise to formulate and implement concrete action plans to strengthen bilateral ties among OIC countries by ensuring stability and economic growth in the region.