Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation realized a farewell dinner for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Hansjörg Kretschmer – Head of the EU Commission to Turkey, on 19 September 2006, in Ritz Carlton Hotel.
Before leaving Turkey on 31 October 2006 Ambassador Kretschmer came together with Marmara Foundation and approximately 50 distinguished guests at the dinner. Ambassador made a speech and started his words by presenting his appreciation about the Marmara Foundation and its activities.
Ambassador carried on his speech and underlined: “To start negotiations is a strategic phase for the full membership. And in the negotiation process NGOs has an important role with their neutral identities. During my presence I saw that; in this respect Marmara Foundation fulfilled its responsibilities.
We cannot deny that Turkey realized very important reforms on the way to the EU. But reforms should be continuous, progress should be sustainable and the progress should be written on the reports of the EU.
Another point that Turkey should not forget is its ability to reach the hearts and the minds of the European people. Negotiation process will be long and difficult. At the end of the negotiation process Turkey should receive approval of the EU governments and EU people for its full membership. So, it is vital Turkey to reach the people of Europe and show them reforms are practically realized.
During the meeting Human Rights of the Women was one of the topics underlined by Ambassador Kretschmer. Above you can see H.E. Kretschmer, Dr. Akkan Suver and (Ret.) Full General Necdet Timur during the dinner
During my mission here I examined that the Turkish Republic and its people has the ability to reach the final destination. But to desire will not be enough you should realize the reform in practice and this should be examined by the people of Europe”
Some of the attendees of the dinner were: Ali Doğan – Former Minister, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Samsunlu – Former Minister / Memberof the Board of Trustees of the Marmara Foundation H.E. Grzegorz Michalski – Ambassador of Poland to Turkey, Former Full General Necdet Timur – Former Commander of the First Army / Member of the Academic Council of the Marmara Foundation, Hon. Alexandros Alexandris – Consul General of Greece to Istanbul, Hüsamettin Kavi – Chairman of Istanbul Chamber of Industry, Prof.Dr. Ersin Kalaycıoğlu - Chancellor of the Işık University, Başaran Ulusoy – President of TURSAB, Ahmet Çalık – Chairman of Çalık Holding, Prof. Dr. İlter Turan – Academician / Member of the Academic Council of the Marmara Foundation and journalists; Güneri Civaoğlu, Mehmet Ali Birand, Tufan ve Pınar Türenç, Gila Benmayor, Sami Kohen, Barış Doster