Dr. Akkan Suver who attended the international conference as a representative of Marmara Group Foundation in Urumqi, PR China; emphasized that the "Silk Road" is the philosophy of the 21^st century. In addition to that, 22 states proposed the Silk Road for their agenda at the conference.

Dr. Akkan Suver cought the attention of the press during his visit in Urumqi, in addition he appeared as a guest on several TV shows; in particular CCTV.

The importance of Silk Road stressed by Dr. Akkan Suver by "A new dream almost realized" words; moreover he told it should not be forgotten that the Silk Road starts from China and ends in Turkey.

Dr. Akkan Suver stand out that Muslim cognate of Turkey in Urumqi will be a natural bridge of friendship between PR China and other Muslim states; and challenges and hopes which built on lies in the Middle East will end when Silk Road philosophy realized.

The speech of Dr. Akkan Suver in on below: 

Prof. Gao Jianlong who organized the Silk Road Conferences along with Dr. Akkan Suver.

Dr. Akkan Suver mentioning Marmara Group Foundation on CCTV which is the biggest national TV channel of PR China. 

Dr. Akkan Suver emphasized that People's Republic of China is one of the three great centers of the world for trade and commerce along with USA and the EU; thus Silk Road will create another vision for wealth and sharing that wealth. 

Dr. Suver mentioned regarding to Silk Road in Turkish at the Uyghur Autonomous Region's TV channel.

Speech of Dr. Akkan Suver, President of Marmara Group Foundation - Istanbul, at the Silk Road Economic Belt International Seminar - Urumqi / PR China, 

As Marmara Group Foundation we have realized four different visits to China in last five years.

Today we are here in China for the fifth time; but this is our first visit to Urumqi. I present my appreciation to your committee for your kind invitation.

Our first visit has taken place on January 23, 2009 upon the invitation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.  We have complied to that invitation with my wife Mrs. Müjgan Suver and the Executive Committee Member Mr. Cengiz Güldamlası, his wife Mrs. Mine Güldamlası. That was a very productive and astonishing visit.

For the second time, I came to Chongqing as compliance to the invitation of the 2^nd Global Foundations Summit Forum and delivered a speech in that event.

The third visit on behalf of Marmara Group Foundation, another Executive Committee Member Mr. Cafer Okray have attended the G-20 Think Tanks Forum on August 22, 2013. He has attended as the invitee of Chongyang Institute of Finance of Remnin University and made a presentation in order to bring Turkey-China relations and G-20's role in the agenda.

At the fourth visit I have visited Beijing and Tianjin with my associates from executive council between 9 - 13 December 2013.

On April 11, 2012 we have signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Foundation for Human Rights Development.

On April 8, 2013 we have signed a cooperation agreement with China Association for International Friendly Contact.

Furthermore, we have conducted a very productive meeting with Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament at Istanbul Hilton Hotel in 2013.

As a representative of Turkish NGO, heading to the previous activities I am here as a guest of Xinjiang Academy of Social Science.

I would like to compare the roles of the People's Republic of China and the other Asian States, before touching on the subject of Silk Road which is a philosophy of our foundation.

The eastern part of the world where People's Republic of China owns about the %50 of the world's trade value. Thus, People's Republic of China is one of the three great centers of the world for trade and commerce along with USA and the EU.

A %5-6 annual economic growth is predicted for the Asia-Pacific countries. This ratio is the way above the averages of USA, EU and Japan. This process will carry the Asia-Pacific countries to a position of focus when it comes to power balances on a global scale in the first quarter of the 21st century. Asia that has the %55 of world's population will create the %44 of world's GDP and the %25 of world's commerce will be done with the countries of Asia.

In a period when interests of industrialized countries like USA and the countries of EU towards this region are rapidly growing along with their economic and commercial ties to a point where signing free trade agreements are in question, it is unthinkable for Turkey who has signed a customs union agreement with the EU,  to stay out of this process and not try to get a share from the opportunities that the countries of the Far East are presenting.

Despite the generally positive image, the interest started to be shown towards Turkey, expectations, the perspectives of cooperation in certain areas and despite the great potential of growth, Turkey's economic and commercial relations with Asia-Pacific region has not come to the desired level yet. Undoubtedly one of the main reasons of this is the fact that due to its distance, the region has been out of our sphere of attention and influence. But while our rapidly growing relations with the Caucasus and the Republics of Central Asia are opening the doors of the Far East to Turkey and our business circles, the setbacks being experienced from time to time in our relations between Europe and the countries of the Middle East has urged us to seek for activities in other regions and deepen our already existing relations.

Turkey have realized the fact of Asia and the prospects and opportunities of the economies of Asia are presenting for the 21st century. For instance, to convey Turkey's well prepared Asia opening within the framework of cohesive, uniquely designed commercial, industrial cooperation, cultural and promotion policies with regards to the different features of different regions and countries will tell Turkey's Asian partners that as its geography proves, Turkey and the Turkish nation is loyal to the values and traditions of Asia.

Above all, our policies towards Asia shall not bear elements that might be threatening to our relations with the Caucasus and the Republics of Central Asia.

Our suggestions stating that Turkey can constitutes a bridge, doorway for the economies of Asia to expand into Europe, Middle East and Central Asian Republics markets and  creates suspicions in minds with regards to the rules of the World Trade Organization and our obligations to the customs unions must be clearly explained to our counterparts in governmental level and to the Asian business circles. To this end, the publications and information that are describing our obligations due to customs union, our foreign capital and investment incitement regimes, World Trade Organization rules and the status of our free trading zones  should be brought to the attention of relevant business  circles.

In the recent years the countries of Asia while offering perspectives of being a suitable market for Turkey's commercial relations and Turkey's export with their population and economic potential, the occurrences happened on the opposite way when we take our growing industry's requirements and our trade with the Asian countries such as China, Japan, South Korea and India has significant deficit. In order to close this deficit and balance our trade it is required to increase our exports to the Asian countries while encouraging the countries of Asia to invest in Turkey.

Naturally, the efforts on both ways requires efficient level of corporate, organizational, logistical and financial support as well as improving the public relations and cultural activities in accordance with economic diplomacy within the framework of region oriented, comprehensive and sustainable programs.

Nowadays, I consider the concept of Silkroad also as "Iron Silkroad" due to the Beijing - London railroad.

When Silkroad philosophy which acted an important part in enhancing commerce as well as peace becomes a reality, Pacific Ocean and Baltic Sea will merge.

Agreements on connecting Central Asia with Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf and simplifying commerce and investments will be made and cooperation will enhance.

Constituting Silkroad economy and peace line will open a new door into long term good neighbour relations, friendships and new economical cooperations.

As Marmara Group Foundation we believe that; People of Silkroad countries showed an example of proverbial friendship throughout the history. Mutual  benefit and trust in the basis of common advantage, equality, tolerance and sharing of experience are characteristics of Silkroad. We can re- activate Silkroad line for concentrating economical relations between Europe and Asia and deepening cooperation.

Silkroad line, which includes nearly 3 billion population, has great potential.

We are observing the highly valuable works of His Excellency Xi Jinpin, President of People's Republic of China, who makes effort in order to bring this philosophy to reality, with admiration. With this opportunity, I would like to present our thanks to him for his excellent works to this philosophy.

In summary, we believe that, with partnership and responsibility principles, it is possible to increase speed and quality of regional economy and gain common advantages.

Previously, I used the expression of "Iron Silkroad". With this expression, I wanted to point out Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway project. This project will conclude next year. Marmaray Project of İstanbul, which concluded on October 29, 2013, connected Beijing and London with railways. Silkroad of yesterday was connected with only camel caravans. But now we connect the Silkroad of today with airways, railroads and highways.

We must not forget that mutual cooperation brings the economy and the economy brings the peace. Therefore Silkroad is the philosophy of 21st century. 

And we sincerely believe in that philosophy.