AS ONE OF THE MOST SUFFERED NATIONS FROM TERRORISM, TURKEY NEEDS MUCH MORE COMMUNICATION

Speaking at the “Platform for Global Challenges” held at the Santral Campus of Istanbul Bilgi University, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated that as one of the most suffered nations from terrorism, Turkey needed much more communication.

Expressing that Istanbul was a center of dialogue and communication, Minister Bagis said: “For centuries, different cultures and civilizations have lived together in peace here. They have brought out the best examples of communication. Since the times when human beings used pigeons and fire smokes for communication, Istanbul has always been in the middle of global communication. Today, it is such a significant event in terms of the current situation of Istanbul that the real vision holder pioneers of current communication channels joins us at this University which embodies one of the most successful Faculties of Communication in Turkey.

Minister Bagis, said “Messages of tolerance from Istanbul are those which the world needs most now.” and he added, “Maybe, we are really going through a very hard period in terms of global history but we are also making great inventions in the field of communications at a tremendous rate. Previously, we were wondering if our letters would reach to the receivers or not, now we may be irritated when our e-mail is delayed just for a couple of seconds. The travels which lasted for days, weeks or even months previously, can be made in a few hours now. Among all these communications networks, in the regions where there is no tolerance that we have in our roots, we still witness how humanity can fall behind in such a time when humanity has achieved great progress.”

Minister Bagis condemns the attacks in Benghazi, during which USA Ambassador to Libya and three other American Embassy staff were killed, and continues his words as follows:

“An assassination was realised to the US Ambassador yesterday on the basis of a film posted on Youtube. We codemn this attack. We also condemn that our values being insulted. We believe that everyone’s values and beliefs should be respected, as we respect our values and beliefs. We can never approve of using violence against such incidents that break the bonds. Humanity can make no progress with violence and terror.” On the other hand, Minister Bagis reminded that Turkey trying to convince its allies in cooperating against terrorism needed much more communication as one of the most suffered countries from terrorism.

Stating that the European Union process was actually a process of peace, Minister Bagis said, “The communication in Istanbul has always been universal and limitless. I believe that the spirit of tolerance in Istanbul should be adopted globally. The European Union process is actually a peace project. Unfortunately, the uncertainties caused by the economic crisis have strained politics, either. We notice that as the indicators of economic crisis began to slow down, the extremists also began to weaken. In the elections which everyone expected different results in Netherlands, the parties in favour of communication were elected while the parties which brought racism and fear out lost.

Source: İHA