Dr. Akkan Suver, President of the Marmara Group Foundation, held a joint press conference with IHKIB President Hikmet Tanrıverdi on the occasion of the 21st Eurasian Economic Summit.

At the press conference, where Nuri Artok and Süleyman Orakçıoğlu, former Presidents of IHKIB, and Vice President Mustafa Gültepe, also participated, Dr. Suver stated that Montenegro, Macedonia, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be represented at the level of President at the 21st Eurasian Economic Summit.

Please find Dr. Akkan Suver's text of speech from the press conference below:

As Marmara Group Foundation, we are going to organize the 21st Eurasian Economic Summit on 11-12 April, 2018 in Istanbul.

The Eurasian Economic Summits, which we have been carrying out together with IHKIB since 2003, will be realized for the 21st time this year on 11-12 April, 2018 at Istanbul WOW Hotel & Convention Center.

First of all, as a statement of gratitude, I would like to point out to your high audience that on behalf of the Marmara Group Foundation, we are thankful for this sample cooperation in the field of civil society that began with Mr. Nuri Artok and Mr. Süleyman Orakçıoğlu, then contiued with Mr. Hikmet Tanrıverdi and Mr. Mustafa Gültepe.

As you know, IHKIB has been crowning our Gala Nights with the big organization of an exceptional fashion show since 2003. Mrs. Dilek Hanif will be the designer of this years' fashion show.

I would also like to take advantage of the opportunity that Mrs. Dilek Hanif is among us and thank those who have organized spectacular fashion shows for our Opening Ceremonies in the last years:

Evrim Timur (2003), Özlem Suer (2004), Deniz Yeğin (2005), Hakan Yıldırırm (2006), Özlem Suer (2007), Arzu Kaprol (2008), Ezra and Tuba Çetin (2009), Bahar Korçan (2010), Gamze Saraçoğlu (2011), Mehtap Elaidi (2012), Gül Ağış (2013), Özlem Kaya (2014.9, Necla Güvenç (2015), Tuba Ergin (2016), Çiğdem Akın (2017).

If the IHKIB community is able to successfully transfer Turkish design, Turkish lines and Turkish handmade products to all over the world as an example of a civilian conviction, this is the sign of strength that they have received from walking straight on without ever breaking. So, here and today, we see and experience this sign together.

My dear friends,
As a modest non-governmental organization, we will carry out the twenty-first of the Eurasian Economic Summit, which is regarded as an internationally accepted event that has been continuously held for thirty-three years, at WOW Hotel in Istanbul on 11-12 April 2018.

Under this years' main topic "Dilemma of our Century: Technology vs. Politics", we will open up discussions with statesmen, business people, academics, clergymen and young people.

We all know that technology is continuously developing whereas politics is on the spot. This dilemma is a common concern for all of us in terms of peace, stability, economy and future. We will debate this.

Meanwhile, we are considering our Summit as an opportunity for the correct expression and presentation of the terrorist incidents we have been living in and the successful and justified Afrin campaign.

Another session we will undertake on a separate basis will address the impact of gender equality along with the development of Technology under the heading "Mind Blowing Expectations of Women".

Precious friends,
Apparently, it is not easy for a non-governmental organization to keep a thought alive for twenty-one years.

This is a success.

And the main source of this success is this relationship you are all witnessing now and here.

By inviting you to the 21st Eurasian Economic Summit on 11-12 April 2018 with the power I draw from this relationship, I end my words.