Eurasian Economic Summit to discuss ‘Humanity at a Crossroads’

ISTANBUL

The 20th Eurasian Economic Summit, an Istanbul-based forum that is marking its 20th year, will address a wide range of regional issues, focusing on the challenges faced by the EU, efforts against terrorism, and migration, under the annual headline of “Humanity at Crossroads.”

The summit will run through April 4 and 6 and will bring together former or actual presidents, prime ministers, ministers, members of parliament, academics and international opinion leaders from 44 countries across the world. 

“In the Eurasian Economic Summits, traditionally we bring sustainable economy, renewable energy, communication and transportation. For this year’s topic of the day, we will bring illegal politics and actions happening in Europe with the title of ‘Challenges That European Union Faces with and Its Future Concerns’ up for discussion,” Akkan Suver, the head of the Marmara Group Foundation, told the Hürriyet Daily News on March 27.

“We will discuss tragic events, forced migration and terrorism under the title ‘Contributions of the Religions to Peace in Order to Overcome the Environment of Violence and Terror and the Association between Migration and Terrorism’ with statesmen, politicians, academics and religious functionaries,” he said. 

“Israel, after many years, will be participating with Dalia Itzik, the former chairman of the Israeli parliament,” Suver added. 

Two hundred statesmen, academics, businesspeople, and religious functionaries from 44 countries will come together at the summit, he said. 

This year, the guest of honor at the summit is Edward De Bono, a world-renowned Maltese writer and visionary.

“Dr. Edward De Bono, a writer renowned worldwide as the mastermind of famous creative thinking techniques and parallel thinking, is among the guests of honor of our summit this year. Many of De Bono’s books have been published in Turkey,” Suver said. 

This year’s “Presidential Session” will host Bujar Nishani, President of Albania, Gjorge Ivanov, President of Macedonia, Mladen Ivanic, President of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mustafa Akıncı, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Irina Vlah, Governor of Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. 

Abdullah Gül, President of Turkey (2007-2014), Heinz Fischer, President of Austria (2004-2016), Bamir Topi, President of Albania (2007-2012), Ivo Josipovic, President of Croatia (2010-2015) and Stepan Mesic, President of Croatia (2000-2010), Valdis Zatlers, President of Latvia (2007-2011), Petru Lucinschi, President of Moldova (1997-2001), Emil Constantinescu, President of Romania (1996-2000) and Boris Tadic, President of Serbia (2004-2014) are the other speakers to address the audience in the same session. 

In the summit, in which Deputy Prime Ministers Tuğrul Türkeş and Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ahmet Arslan will also participate, the Istanbul Ready-Made Garment Exporters’ Association (İHKİB) will hold a fashion show with the famous designer Çiğdem Akın’s designs. 
The Jockey Club of Turkey will hold the traditional Eurasian Economic Summits Cup Race. 

Şişecam, Turkey’s famous glass company, will also present an exhibition of special art work.