Balkan Dialogue Forum was held

Monday, July 1, 2024 - Read: 1545

Balkan Dialogue Forum on the Past and Present Geopolitical Changes in the Balkans was held in Tirana.

The Forum, organized by former Albanian President Ilir Meta, was considered as an important step for peace in the Balkans.

Former Prime Minister of Turkey Prof. Dr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, President of Marmara Group Foundation Dr. Akkan Suver and Ali Kılıç from Turkey participated in the Forum as speakers. Former President of Montenegro Milo Dukanovic, Former President of Croatia Stepan Mesic, Former President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiou also presented separate papers.

The Minister of Health of North Macedonia Arben Taravari and Dr. Srdjan Kerim from North Macedonia, former Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Albania Edmond Haxhinasto and Aldo Bumci and Ambassador Agim Nesho also took the floor at the Forum.

Marmara Group Foundation also participated in the Balkan Dialogue Forum with the participation of Dr. Akkan Suver, Sezgin Bilgiç, Belgin Tanrıverdi and Uğur Tok. Attended with a delegation.

Text of the Speech of Dr. Akkan Suver At the Balkan Forum and Dialogue.

Dear Participants,

Dear Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank H.E. Ilir Meta for bringing us together today, and I would like to thank everyone who has honored us by giving importance to this issue, because no one cares, but we are on the eve of a global war. That is why I attach importance to this meeting and see it as a beacon of hope for peace. As you can appreciate, for a lasting peace we need to encourage dialogue and look for ways to build trust.

Dear Friends,

In this rapidly changing and evolving world, we are moving further and further away from sustainable security. The conflict is not just about Ukraine-Russia and Hamas-Israel wars! I care about Russian leader Putin's visits to Asia, North Korea and the arms deal, the rise of the radical right in Europe, the Serbian President's statements that there will be a big war in 3-4 months, Hungarian Prime Minister's statements such as "The train have left the station and no one can stop it".

From Cuba to Korea, we face risks that leave no blank space on the map. The ongoing war in the Middle East, signals that turmoil may break out in the Pacific. On the other hand, stability is almost non-existent on the African continent. In Latin America, tensions are at their highest.

Political assassinations, democracy-ending military coups, politicization of energy, cyber-attacks, foreign interference in elections, disinformation, nuclear threats, food insecurity and climate crises, along with acts of terrorism, the most recent of which we have seen in Russia, are rapidly moving our people away from a resilient future. We are therefore teeming with self-destructive crises.

Instead of looking for ways to resolve the crises we are facing, we are engaged in a never-ending drive to renew elections. There is a race for early elections in almost every country. While democratic countries are struggling with early elections, in the African continent, those who do not like the elections continue on their way with military coups. In most countries in Africa, politicians and diplomats are silenced, while commanders speak. Latin America is struggling with poverty. In contrast, the defenders of European Values are busy with endless elections. Those who think of elections until they are elected do not hear the footsteps of war and terror. In this environment, we need a strong common sense. We need a strong spirit. We need a strong call. And we need a strong will.

I believe that this meeting will be a movement that will build a strong will that will rise from the Balkans. Again, I want to believe that this meeting will be instrumental not for elections, but for a new understanding that will put out fires, end poverty, and open the door to peace and stability.