Jeddah, Safar 2, 1440, Oct 11, 2018, SPA -- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has affirmed its alliance and partnership with the European Union in the face of the common challenges facing the world today, it was reported here. The OIC Ambassador to the European Union Ismat Jahan said at a ceremony marking the 49th anniversary of the founding of the organization's office in Brussels yesterday that the organization appreciates the excellent relations with the European Union, pointing to the current understandings signed between the two sides in the fields of dialogue and cooperation and a number of areas common. The two sides represent the collective voices of two large groups of countries that can already be natural allies in dealing with political and humanitarian affairs, she said, pointing to the possibility of cooperation in combating terrorism and extremism and promoting dialogue between cultures and religions for social inclusion and peaceful coexistence. --SPA 18:43 LOCAL TIME 15:43 GMT 0031 www.spa.gov.sa/w764876