Ministry replies to Paris based ICOM

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry has replied to the International Council of Museum’s (ICOM) decision to ditch the ministry and explained the reasons for its decision to hand over the task of representation to the Association of Museum Professionals Turkey.

“ICOM said they had heard allegations that Turkey’s ICOM had not received new members to the committee and also that its bureaucratic structure has problems communicating with other institutions,” the statement said in reference to the international council’s decision to end its cooperation with the ministry.

The former ICOM National Committee could not represent the council in the best way, leading the ministry to hand over the reins to the association, it said.

The ministry said ICOM took its decision without knowing the truth, and only according to the rumors they had heard. The decision was also taken without monitoring Turkey’s ICOM committee, the statement added. ICOM Paris did not even attempt to solve the problem and did not invite Turkey to its annual meeting last year, which took place in June, according to the statement.

“ICOM should have contacted the ministry before taking this decision, but they did not even do this.”
The transformation process began when the decision was made by ICOM executive committee’s 121 meeting on Dec. 4 and 5, 2011.

Turkey’s former ICOM National Committee could not represent ICOM in the best way and that is why the representation has been given to the Association of Museum Professionals Turkey, said a written statement by the association. ICOM decided to cancel the accreditation of Turkey’s ICOM National Committee and transferred accreditation to the Association of Museum Professionals Turkey. The new body is to be made up of museum professionals from across the country; a selection of these are former members of the now defunct Turkish committee.