Mr. Vladimir Penkov said the following while he is presenting the award to Dr. Akkan Suver. "On the occasion of the 15th Jubilee of the Vienna Economic Forum, I am very pleased to present to you a replica of the Mask of Teres, the King of Odrysian, lived in the 5th Century BC, created by widely-known Bulgarian Sculptor Ivan Todorov."

Vienna Economic Forum started its 15th Jubilee - Economy meets Politics with a reception on November 18, 2018 at the Imperial Hotel. Dr. Akkan Suver took part as the Guest of Honour at the Forum held with the opening speech of Dr. Günther Rabensteiner and Prof. Dr. Elena Kırtcheva. In his speech, Dr. Akkan Suver said "the Vienna Economic Forum is a peaceful platform. Here people are able to express their ideas freely." Then, Mr. Vladimir Penkov presented the 15. Jubilee Medal of the Vienna Economic Forum to Dr. Akkan Suver. Prime Minister of Albania H.E. Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Bosnia and Herzegovina H.E. Denis Zvizdić, Prime Minister of Kosovo H.E. Ramush Haradinaj,  Prime Minister of Montenegro (Karadağ) H.E.Dusko Markov attended the ceremony as well.

You can kindly see the text of speech of Dr. Akkan Suver given at the Vienna Economic Forum.

The Vienna Economic Forum is 15 years old.

I have been a regular of the Vienna Economic Forum since 2008.

Before I begin my words, I would like to share my contentment with all of you.

The Vienna Economic Forum has awarded me twice in both 2014 and 2017.

A week ago, before coming here, the President of Austria presented my the “Decoration of Honour in Gold”.

Please let me thank to the former President of the Vienna Economic Forum H.E. Dr. Erhard Busek who has made a surprise and come to Ankara for this award ceremony.

Please allow me to extend my heartfelt thanks to the generous Austrian State.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Vienna Economic Forum is a platform for peace.

It is a project of prosperity, stability and development.

It is an important roadmap for the integration of the Balkans with Europe.

Statesmen, academicians and business people are all able to express their ideas freely here.

The Vienna Economic Forum is an institution which has been able to bring together the Balkan countries with Europe, through the understanding of cooperation, solidarity and common fate, in only 15 years.

The occasion which has brought us here today is an evidence to this.

H.E. Dr. Erhard Busek and H.E. Dr. Elena Kırtcheva are the owners of this valuable project. I know that H.E. Dr. Günther Rabensteiner, who takes office today, will lead the project with the same level of excitement.

With your permission, I would like to applaud these three successful individuals.

From being a mere project, the Vienna Economic Forum has become a permanent reality in its 15th year.

The glamorous atmosphere in this hall today is the most beautiful indicator of this.

Individuals have come here today to be a part of the future of the Balkans and establish concrete relationships.

I would like to congratulate the Vienna Economic Forum for the common will and determination it has created.

The Vienna Economic Forum will be the gateway for a new vision and hope in the upcoming 15 years.

This is because the forum aims to reach for the future through cooperation rather than conflict, and through the spirit of solidarity and reconciliation rather than disagreement.

This is your success as much as it is the success of the Vienna Economic Forum.

I congratulate you all, and wish you many successful years.

 
Dr. Akkan Suver is with Dr. Günther Rabensteiner and Prof. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva.

Dr. Akkan Suver, Mrs. Müjgan Suver and Mr. Birol Kılıç is with Ambassador of Turkey to Austria Mehmet Ferden Çarıkçı at the opening of the Vienna Economic Forum.

Dr.Günther Rabensteiner, Ambassador Elena Kirtcheva, Ambassador Victor Jackovich, Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU H.E. Lilyana Pavlova, Mr. Birol Kılıç, Mrs. Müjgan Suver and Dr. Akkan Suver is together at the Vienna Economic Forum .

Dr. Akkan Suver met with Ramush Haradinaj, Prime Minister of Kosovo at the Vienna Economic Forum.