Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - The president of the Executive Council of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Hans-Heinrich Wrede on a visit to Senegal endorsed plans by President Abdoulaye Wade to organise an international conference on Islam/Christian dialogue in December next year.

Speaking at a news conference following a meeting with Senegalese minister of Culture, Safiétou Ndiaye Diop, the UNESCO official said the agency had from the outset supported the dialogue of civilisations.

Since the 11 September attacks, terrorism has been linked with Islam, hence the need for the different religions to agree on common values, including tolerance, openness and freedom.

Wrede said the Dakar meeting would be an opportunity to clear misunderstandings between certain religions.

Wrede's three-day visit (15-18 September) is aimed at strengthening follow-up on programmes and cooperation ties between UNESCO and Senegal.