POPE RECEIVES THE MARMARA FOUNDATION

       The Marmara Foundation has been received by the Pope Benedictus XVI in Vatican on the 22nd of December, 2010.

       Dr. Akkan Suver (President), Dr. Fatih Saraçoğlu (Vice President, Businessman), Aykut Eken (Vice President, Businessman) and (Ret.) General Necdet Timur attended the reception realized within the scope of the works of Intercultural Dialogue which has been carried out for fifteen years by the Marmara Foundation.

        The Marmara Foundation had already been received in 2005 by the Pope Benedictus XVI as part of the Intercultural Dialogue Works as well.

       After the meeting, Dr. Akkan Suver made a statement: “As soon as we entered through the door, the Pope welcomed us directly telling “It has been four years since we last met” and then he stated that he had wished to come together with Turks as well, before the Christmas. During the meeting the Pope Benedictus XVI congratulated the Marmara Foundation for its service and contribution to the dignity of faiths, to the merits of democracy and to the universal human rights values within the context of the Intercultural Dialogue works.

       During the reception, Dr. Fatih Saraçoğlu conveyed the greetings and message of good will from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for which the Pope offered his thanks. He also asked that the Marmara Group Foundation return the same assurances from him. Dr. Saraçoğlu also offered the respects of the Turkish Rotarians. Additionally, Dr. Saraçoğlu presented a book regarding the history of the Rotary Club.

       Expressing his pleasure for being with a Non Governmental Organization from Turkey before the Christmas, which carries on its works in parallel with their works for the development of brotherhood, love and tolerance culture, the Pope pointed out that he still keeps fresh the memories of his last visit to Turkey in his mind.”

       Accepting the 25th Anniversary present of the Marmara Foundation by the hands of Dr. Akkan Suver at the end of the meeting, the Pope Benedict XVI congratulated the New Year's day of all Turkish nation by means of the Marmara Foundation and said that he accepted to appoint representatives to the Intercultural Dialogue activities of the Marmara Foundation at the level of cardinals upon the request. (December 22, 2010)