The Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session for a Better Future for the Peoples of the Islamic Ummah) held in Doha, State of Qatar, from 17 to 19 Dhul Quida 1418H (15-17 March 1998),

Recalling Resolution No. 2/8-E(IS) adopted by the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference

Recalling also Resolution No. 2/24-E adopted by the Twenty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;

Appreciating reports submitted by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic countries;

Having examined the Implications of the establishment of regional and international economic groupings and their impact on economic relations between the Member States of these economic groupings and the Islamic States;

Having taken note of the recommendations of the 21st Session of the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs;

Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General in this respect,

1. Notes with appreciation that "Implications of Regional Economic Groupings, particularly the European Union for the economies of the Member Countries" was the theme for the Exchange of Views Session which was organized during the 13th Session of COMCEC held from 1-4 November 1997.

2. Urges Member States to intensify commercial exchanges among themselves and remove as much as possible any obstacle which may hinder this action and exert necessary efforts to encourage economic and commercial cooperation.

3. Urges the developed countries giving preferences to OIC member states under various schemes to examine the erosion that is likely to occur in these preferences as a result of the implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreements and to consider restoring these losses by other trade concessions or forms of compensation within the framework of the provisions of the Uruguay Round Agreements.

4. Requests the Ankara and Casablanca Centres to continue to undertake studies on the effects of regional and international economic groupings on the economic conditions of the OIC Member States and make appropriate recommendations on the same with a view to safeguarding the national interests of Member States.

5. Requests the Secretary General to circulate these studies to Member States as soon as they are ready so as to get their views.

6. Also requests the Secretary General to follow up the matter and submit a report thereon to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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