Journalists and Writers Foundation-European Union Delegation Roundtable Meeting


Date posted: February 18, 2013

On January 25, 2013, Journalist and Writers Foundation hosted EU-Turkey Delegation Roundtable meeting at Sheraton Hotel, Ankara. In his opening speech, EU Delegation President, Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert noted that they have been examining and comparing Turkey’s ambitions with EU criteria set for the accession process.

“Journalists and Writers Foundation is an influential and deep-rooted institution. So, we would like to know the foundation’s thoughts on EU’s criteria for human rights, press freedom, freedom of expression and religion.” Ripert inquired. The delegation sought answers during the meeting that is certain to be instrumental in the country’s diplomatic future.

The meeting attendees were as follows : EU Ambassador First Counselor Michael Miller, EU-Turkey Delegation Political Advisors Sema Kilicer, Aycan Deniz, Ozer Fazlioglu, JWF President Mustafa Yesil, Vice-President Cemal Ussak, JWF Medialog Platform Secretary General Tercan Ali Basturk, Brussels Interfaith Dialogue Platform official Serafettin Pektas, Fatih University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty Associate Prof. Ihsan Yilmaz, Zirve University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty Associate Prof. Gokhan Bacik, the daily Today’s Zaman Ankara representative Abdullah Bozkurt and Medialog Platform representative Ela Demir.

Later in the meeting, the President of Journalists and Writers Foundation, Mustafa Yesil delivered a speech outlining the core values and principles of Gulen Movement. Yesil recalled that the three major foci of the movement have on education, peace building against existing disunity and poverty alleviation. “The most distinctive feature of the Movement is its advocacy for co-existence. Among its core values are pluralism, dialogue and recognition of democratic opinions, which has naturally resulted in its followers’ conscious avoidance of politics. The Movement cherishes values with scientific, traditional and religious origins.” Yesil said.

Finally, as the foundation’s vice-president Cemal Ussak took the stage, he expressed their hopes for a permanent, an absolute solution to Imrali issue (negotiations over imprisoned PKK leader and relevant Kurdish issue).

Source: [in Turkish] on Medialog Platform, 25 January 2013. English translation is retrieved from HizmentMovement.com


Related News

Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) gathers all colors of Turkey at iftar

ESRA MADEN, İSTANBUL Many distinguished figures including Turkey’s spiritual leaders, politicians, artists, businessmen and journalists came together at the same iftar (fast-breaking dinner) table on Tuesday night in an event held by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV). GYV Honorary President Fethullah Gülen greeted the guests with a message he issued for the night. “Ramadan […]

Minister Şahin praises Journalists and Writers Foundation for courageous coverage

SEZAİ KALAYCI, NEW YORK Family and Social Policy Minister Fatma Şahin has praised the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) for its members’ courageous coverage of important issues at a time when the country is taking steps for democratization. Şahin’s remarks came during a panel discussion on women’s issues held by the GYV and Peace Islands […]

GYV praised for response to accusations about Hizmet movement

FATMA DİŞLİ ZIBAK, ALİ ASLAN KILIÇ, İSTANBUL/ANKARA An 11-article statement released by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) on Tuesday in response to a series of controversial claims and slanderous accusations made about the Hizmet movement has received appreciation and applause from many who said the statement is a good response to those who wish […]

The Dialogue Eurasia Platform serves world peace for 15 years

The DAP is operating in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Ukraine.

GYV slams government attempt to silence critics with recent measures

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) expresses that the interim Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government is continuing to use terror cases in an attempt to silence critical press.

Abant Platform on Africa

For three days I will be away from Turkey’s increasingly suffocating internal politics. For this reason alone I am grateful to the Journalists and Writers Foundation, organizer of the Abant Platform on Africa. I think this three-day event will, among other things, show us, Turks, that there is a huge world outside Turkey and that we need to […]

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

73-year-old says looking after grandchildren as daughter, son-in-law behind bars

An International Conference on “Philanthropy and Peacebuilding”

Erdogan’s Lust For Power Is Destroying Turkey’s Democracy

Pacific Dialogue Platform in Philippines was opened with Iftar

Hizmet movement in the spotlight at MESA 2012

The Commissioner for Political Affairs opened the 14th International Festival of Language and Culture

Panicky parents calmed over Feza Schools closure reports

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News