Marmara launches 15th Eurasian meet

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

President of the Marmara Group Foundation Dr. Akkan Suver (R) says the summit will begin its 15th year in Istanbul, and end up in the Aegean province of İzmir. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL

The Eurasian Economic Summit, the largest economic event in the nongovernmental arena in Turkey, will host talks between high-profile policy makers in Istanbul and in İzmir, from April 10 to 12.

This year’s summit, which is organized by the Marmara Group Foundation, will take place on its “bronze” anniversary, said Dr. Akkan Suver, President of the Marmara Group Foundation at a press meeting on April 6.

Suver said the summit would begin its 15th year in Istanbul, but end in the western province of İzmir. Leading think tanks such as the Bled Strategic Forum, the China Human Rights Foundation, the Balkan Political Club, the Vienna Economic Forum, the Balkan Peace Club, the International Fund for Cooperation and Partnership of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and the German Foreign Affairs Association will also attend.

Suver said the summit was unrivaled in its field, and the meeting’s 15 consecutive years proved the strong nongovernmental presence in Turkey.

“The main themes of the summit will be energy, economy, management, women and the future, intercultural dialogue, environment, education and hunger/poverty,” Suver said.

Fashion show

Cemal Beyazıt, deputy secretary-general of the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Union (İHKİB) said the association attached importance to the effects of these talks on politics, and they would continue participating.

Beyazıt also said prominent stylist Mehtap Elaidi would present a special fashion show for the attending guests. “I am so proud to represent Turkish fashion as the creative face of Turkey for such an event,” Elaidi said at the meeting.

The secretary-general of the Marmara Foundation, Engin Köklüçınar, said this meeting was significant because one-quarter of United Nations member states would be present.

Müjgan Suver, who is in charge of the women and economy talks, said “a bird cannot fly with just one wing,” but that is what men try to do in Turkey. “To jump up high, you need to use both your legs; women should be in decision-making positions,” she said.

Four active presidents (Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Gagauzia), 27 ministers and nine former presidents are expected to discuss energy, economy and intercultural dialogue. From Turkey, Speaker of Parliament Cemil Çiçek and ministers Egemen Bağış, Binali Yıldırım, Taner Yıldız, Fatma Şahin and Ertuğrul Günay are cheduled attend.