40th Anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 - Read : 202

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Consul General of Istanbul, Fatma Demirel, hosted a reception. The reception was attended by the Minister of Economy and Energy of the TRNC, Olgun Amcaoğlu, and a delegation from the Marmara Group Foundation, including Ümran and Ertuğrul Kumcuoğlu, Prof. Dr. Uğur Özgöker, Mustafa Ergin, and Mahmut Saklı. The reception, attended by the civil and military authorities of Istanbul and some foreign mission chiefs, continued until late hours.

Visit to H.E. Levent Bilgen

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 - Read : 240

President of the Marmara Group Foundation Dr. Akkan Suver, who is in Kiev for the General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC), paid a courtesy visit to the Turkish Ambassador to Kiev, H.E. Levent Bilgen. During the visit, Dr. Akkan Suver provided Ambassador Levent Bilgen with information about the Eurasian Economic Summits and the activities of the Marmara Group Foundation.

Dr. Akkan Suver visits Amirsaid Agzamkhodjayev

Monday, November 13, 2023 - Read : 298

Dr. Akkan Suver, who is in the capital of Poland, Warsaw, visited H.E. Amirsaid Agzamkhodjayev, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan in Warsaw, as the first Turkish visitor, wishing him success in his new position.

Dr. Akkan Suver spoke at the Vienna Economic Forum

Sunday, November 12, 2023 - Read : 404

The Vienna Economic Forum, celebrating its 20th year, convened under the theme "Dialogue with the Future 2023." Speaking at the opening of the event, Dr. Akkan Suver stated, "The Vienna Economic Forum is an opportunity center and a roadmap for Balkan countries." Dr. Akkan Suver, who highlighted the 15-year collaboration between the Marmara Group Foundation and the Vienna Economic Forum, presented a commemorative gift from the Marmara Group Foundation on the occasion of its 20th anniversary to Secretary-General Elena Kırtcheva at the end of his speech. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister Karoline Edtstadler on behalf of the Austrian Chancellor, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgarian Mariya Gabriel, and Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti. Dr. Akkan Suver, Müjgan Suver, Lawyers Serhat Tabanca and Sibel Tabanca, along with Canberk Köksüz, represented the Marmara Group Foundation at the anniversary meeting of the Vienna Economic Forum. Notable attendees at the anniversary included Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania, Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov of Bulgaria, Prime Minister Albin Kurti of Kosovo, Prime Minister Dorin Recean of Moldova, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacheski of North Macedonia, and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Kristo. Subsequent sessions featured individual speeches from former Chancellor Dr. Wolfgang Schüsel, Federal Minister Magnus Brunner, Dr. Lilyana Pavlova, Mark Bowman from the EBRD, Peter Höfinger, Ahmet Dağlıoğlu, Dr. Georg Bucher, Aleksandar Vlahovic, Barbara Kolm, Kalin Peshov, Wolfgang Anzengruber, Raimonds Cudars, Yiannis Thomatos, Prof. Dr. Vesna Borazan, and Prof. Dr. Danica Purg. On the 20th anniversary of the Vienna Economic Forum, the Marmara Group Foundation extends congratulations to President (Former Ambassador) Victor Jackovich and Secretary-General Elena Kırtcheva.

Cafer Okray Speaks at the World Protection Forum

Saturday, November 11, 2023 - Read : 457

The World Protection Forum convened in San Marino. Under the presidency of Genseric Cantournet for Kelony and Angela Pietrantoni, the meeting, titled "Life is the Only Company," began with a speech by Fabio Righi, the Minister of Industry of San Marino. Cafer Okray, the Vice President of the Marmara Group Foundation, also addressed the conference, which was attended by Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, the President of FOWPAL, this year. Among the speakers were Annamaria Barbato Ricci, Luc Maisonnasse. You will find Cafer Okray's speech below.

From Journalism to Diplomacy: A Past Without Regrets

Saturday, November 10, 2023 - Read : 439

Akkan Suver's new book has been published under the title "A Past Without Regrets." It is an expanded version of his book released last year under the title "80 Years Later." Published by H2O Publishing, the book is titled "From Journalism to Diplomacy: A Past Without Regrets" The publisher introduces Akkan Suver as follows on the back of the book: 1962, a journalism era where the focus was on "Babıali" not the "media", where Cağaloğlu warmly embraces a young aspiring press member. In the days when the Yellow Press Card held prestige and value, that young aspiring press member works for various newspapers and begins to accumulate unforgettable memories. "Peyami Safa's philosophy, Ahmet Emin Yalman's democracy, Bedii Faik's humor, Çetin Altan's irony, Burhan Felek's charisma, Necip Fazıl's combative spirit, Hüseyin Cahit Yalçın's partisanship, Nizamettin Nazif's streetwise attitude, Metin Toker's opposition, Orhan Seyfi's poetry, Yusuf Ziya's language, Refii Cevat Ulunay's conservatism, Aziz Nesin's humor, Yunus Nadi's sense of state responsibility, Firuzan Tekil's comprehensive ability, Tekin Erer's simplicity, Abdi İpekçi's silent screams, Mithat Perin's layout technique, Tahir Kutsi Makal's interviews, Doğan Nadi's mischief," and many more luminaries and virtues shed light on his path. He gains experience, strengthens his profession. Newspaper owners change, politicians come and go. The world changes, and Türkiye transforms. In addition to journalism, he becomes involved in a civil society organization called the Marmara Group Foundation and has been serving as its president to this day. In 2008, he becomes the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Montenegro in Istanbul. His political closeness that began during his journalism era deepens further during his time in civil society and diplomacy. His acquaintance with many politicians and statesmen, from Celal Bayar to Alparslan Türkeş, Süleyman Demirel to Heydar Aliyev, İsmet İnönü to Rauf Denktaş, Zhelyu Zhelev to Şahap Kocatopçu, evolves into long-lasting friendships. With his sincere and warm interactions in Turkish and world politics, Akkan Suver stands as a unique witness and experienced figure to the recent history and agenda.

Oğuzhan Ceylan in Northern Cyprus

Thursday, November 9, 2023 - Read : 214

Oğuzhan Ceylan, a member of the Executive Board of the Marmara Group Foundation, is holding meetings in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu. During the meeting, Oğuzhan Ceylan provided information to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu about the activities of the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit and extended an invitation to him to attend the Summit.

Deputy Chairman of China Xinhua News Agency, Yuan Bingzhong, Visits Marmara Group Foundation

Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Read : 376

Yuan Bingzhong, the Deputy Chairman of China Xinhua News Agency, along with his colleagues, visited the Marmara Group Foundation. During the visit, Yuan Bingzhong, invited the Marmara Group Foundation to an "international think-tank" meeting to be held in Guangzhou in the coming days and emphasized the importance of the collaborative efforts of civil society organizations from both countries. Dr. Akkan Suver, Ertuğrul Kumcuoğlu, Cafer Okray, and Oğuzhan Ceylan from the Marmara Group Foundation were present during the visit.

Rıza Akpolat was awarded the European Commission's Honor Flag

Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Read : 406

Mayor of Beşiktaş Rıza Akpolat hosted a working breakfast for diplomats in Istanbul and provided information about the municipality's activities. During this working breakfast, which brought together 64 Consuls General and Honorary Consuls, the Honor Award Flag, awarded by the Council of Europe for his successful endeavors, was ceremoniously presented to Mayor Rıza Akpolat by Senator Joe O'Reilly of the European Parliament. During the meeting, Jelena Grboviç, the Consul General of Montenegro in Istanbul, and Dr. Akkan Suver, the Honorary Consul of Montenegro in Balıkesir, were also present.

Marmara Group Foundation was in Moldova

Sunday, November 5, 2023 - Read : 557

President of the Marmara Group Foundation Dr. Akkan Suver, Secretary General Sezgin Bilgiç, and Member of the Board of Trustees Ferit Sağ conducted a working visit to Moldova in preparation for the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit. During the visit, Dr. Akkan Suver and his colleagues held discussions with former President of Moldova Petru Lucinschi, former Prime Minister Chrill Gaburici, and former Governor of Gagauzia Irina Vlah.