ROMANIA

They are the inheritors of common history, geography and culture. The words of Ataturk “Emotions connect the nations rather than agreements. Romania has fraternal place in our hearts." reminds us how strong the foundations of our friendship are.

Turkey and Romania are the two largest state of the Balkans. They are the inheritors of common history, geography and culture. The words of Ataturk “Emotions connect the nations rather than agreements. Romania has fraternal place in our hearts." reminds us how strong the foundations of our friendship are.

Civil society activities have an important place in the relations of The Marmara Group Foundation with Romania.

Romania has always been generous to The Marmara Group Foundation as a state and nation.

Especially the relations which are started with the former presidents Ion Iliescu, Emil Constantinescu and continued uninterrupted since then have always played a reassuring role in Turkish-Roman relations.

The Romanian State, which honored the work of The Marmara Group Foundation with the participation of the President, Prime Minister and Minister, has awarded Dr. Akkan Suver twice in 2014 with Prime Minister Victor Ponta, in 2019 with Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă.

The Romanian Royal Family, through Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania awarded Dr. Akkan Suver with the medal of the first rank of the Officer of the Order of the Crown of Romania.

Again, Constanta Maritime University gave an honorary doctorate to Dr. Akkan Suver in 2013.

The Marmara Group Foundation with it's civil society identity has been working on the development of relations existing between Romania and Turkey.

The New Strategy Center, one of the important think tanks of Romania, and The Marmara Group Foundation have made significant collaborations in the previous periods that we left behind.

Again, the studies we put forward as a partner together with The Institute for Advanced Studies in Levant Culture and Civilization, one of the famous thought centers of Romania are important.

President of The Institute for Advanced Studies in Levant Culture and Civilization H.E.Emil Constantinescu said the following at the signing ceremony in Istanbul.

" Your Excellency Dr. Akkan Suver,

Distinguished audience,

When I initiated this partnership together with Dr. Akkan Suver, we based on the idea that the Institute for Advanced Studies in Levant Culture and Civilization and The Marmara Group Foundation share the same values of peace and economic and social development, using the same means to get these- like the dialogue through understanding the other.

The over three decades activity of The Marmara Foundation is an inspiration for what we call cultural diplomacy.

The scientific research that the Institute is carrying on is focused on the Levant that we understand like the vast areal including the Balkans, Caucasus, Middle East and north of Africa. All this region has been deeply marked by the Ottoman culture and civilization over the centuries.

But out researches are dealing not only with the past, but also with the present reality and the future of this huge region in the globalized world, where the Levant- cradle of the Western culture and cizilization-will have to play an important role.

The cooperation between our organizations, between the academic milieu and business environment from Romania and Turkey could be a model of the way in which we can use from our common past what brings us closer instead what has been separated us, and also of the way in which we can use the opportunities of the present to build a better future for us, for our countries, for the countries of the Levant and for the entire world.

Congratulations and success in all your endeavours!"