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

GYV awards peace projects in İstanbul ceremony

As part of the “International Peace Projects” awards, a total of 1,179 peace projects from 107 countries that aim to find resolutions to conflicts and establish peace following conflicts were evaluated. Each of the top 10 among those projects received a donation of $50,000 from the GYV to help the project developers implement their projects.

GYV expresses concern over claims of government profiling of its citizens

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), whose honorary chairman is Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, released a statement on its website on Thursday in which it said it is worried about the profiling of citizens, civic groups and public employees.

EU expresses concern over declaration of Gülen movement as terrorist without due process

Maja Kocijancic, Spokesperson for European Union Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has responded a question by Turkish Minute, stating that the EU notes with concern the decision taken by the Turkish National Security Council (MGK) to include the movement of the U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen on the list of Turkish terrorist organizations.

German government says Gülen movement not involved in any illegal acts

The German government, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, has said an extensive assessment of the organizations and foundations of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s movement in Germany failed to identify any evidence of illegal activity, daily Zaman reported.

Turkish and Kurdish women meet to discuss media and peace in Sulaimaniya, Iraq

TUĞBA MEZARARKALI, SULAIMANIYA/IRAQ Kurdish and Turkish women met in the Iraqi town of Sulaimaniya on Sunday to discuss various issues including the role of the media in relation to women and coexistence and freedoms in the Middle East. Fifty female journalists from Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan joined the event, organized by the Medialog Platform of […]

EU Criticizes Kosovo, Turkey Over Deportation Of Six Erdogan Political Foes

The European Union on April 3 criticized Kosovo’s deportation of six Turks who were political foes of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying it “raised questions” about both Pristina’s and Ankara’s “respect” for human rights.

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

“They won’t believe,” he said

Who is escalating tensions?

Extraditing Gülen: A smart move for the PM?

CHP Adana deputy lends support to mosque-cemevi project

Fethullah Gulen and the Concept of Ikhlas: Fr. Thomas Michel

Dozens of US Congress members urge Kerry to press Turkey for freer media

Fethullah Gulen’s message in memory of Nelson Mandela

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News