Marmara Group Foundation is at top of NGO league

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

The Marmara Group seeks to develop public awareness with the aim of improving national and global ties. DAILY NEWS photos, Emrah GÜREL

The Marmara Group Foundation, established in Istanbul in 1985, is a Turkish “public benefit group.”

The group not only studies global issues such as the economy, administration, security and defense, but also examines these from regional perspectives, focusing on the EU, the Middle East, Asia, Cyprus, the Balkans and the Caucasus. It does so by preparing and implementing workshops and publishing papers with the support of its Academic Council. The Marmara Group seeks to develop public awareness with the aim of improving national and international relations and supporting the sustainable development of Turkey.

For more than two decades, the group has had the privilege of working with statesmen, government officials, parliamentarians, academics, chairmen and directors of chambers of commerce and industry, along with various nongovernmental organization (NGO) representatives throughout the world interested in its works. As an NGO widely recognized by numerous segments in Turkey, the Marmara Group contributes to shaping public opinion through purposeful meetings and events.

The group has a very distinguished membership and follower group, including former and current presidents of Turkey, the Turkish chiefs of general staff, leaders of the Turkish opposition parties, cabinet ministers and high level officials of the government.

The Marmara Group was declared “NGO of the year” several times by various organizations, receiving four distinguished decorations in the last decade.

‘Most prominent NGO’

The presidents of Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Croatia, Estonia, Mongolia, Gagauzia and Kosovo, as well as prime ministers and cabinet ministers who have participated in the group’s meetings, have repeatedly called the Marmara Group Foundation “among the most prominent of NGOs.”

Among noteworthy achievements of the Marmara Group Foundation are the “Medal of St. Benedict” from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, the “State Medal of Honor” and “Dostlug Order” from the President of Azerbaijan, the “Medal of Genghis Khan” and “Medal of the Silver Star” from the President of Mongolia, the “Medal of Independence” from the President of Gagauzia, the “Award of Diploma” from the President of the Black Sea & Caspian Sea International Fund and the “Medal of Honor,” from the Executive Board of the Eurasian Economic Summits. It is an NGO member of the U.N., accredited to the Economic and Social Council.