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

Tags: | |


Related News

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.

Brussels, Paris and Berlin

As the Turkish prime minister opted to market the graft probe as a coup attempt against his government and accused the Hizmet movement of masterminding this coup, interest was aroused in the Hizmet movement and its clout.

Hizmet movement sticks to principles, AK Party transformed by the state

Holding ia press conference in light of the recent row between the government and the Hizmet movement on Wednesday, Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) President Mustafa Yeşil asdi the Hizmet movement has not changed its principles in the last half century but the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has been transformed by the state and lost its reformist nature.

Abant meeting calls for commitment to EU process, new constitution

SEVGİ AKARÇEŞME, ABANT/BOLU/TURKEY Participants of the three-day-long Abant Platform meeting have emphasized the need to finish drafting a new constitution, stressed the importance of a state that is equidistant to all beliefs and underlined the significance of reviving Turkey’s membership talks with the European Union. Long a byword for describing a gathering that attracts a […]

Hizmet and current political debates in Turkey

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), whose honorary chairman is well-respected Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, released a statement on its website on Thursday explaining the stance of the Hizmet [service] movement (also know as Gulen movement) inspired by Gülen as a civilian one with no political ambitions. The association’s statement comes in response to […]

GYV lashes out at ‘traitor’ label for attending EU ambassadors meeting

The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), in a written statement, has denounced some media outlets’ labeling the body a “traitor” over its attendance at the traditional lunch meeting of the EU ambassadors. The statement criticized the allegations published in some media outlets which “in an effort to distort the truth and smear the foundation” said the GYV betrayed the country by attending such a meeting.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Hizmet schools win 64 out of 120 TÜBİTAK medals despite gov’t pressure

Is the Gulen Movement a Threat to the Turkish Government?

Fatih, Yamanlar, Samanyolu schools win medals at science Olympiad

A Prayer for the victims of Turkey from Nigeria

Grade 12 Pupil Receives A Bronze Medal At 61st International Maths Ambassador

Somalia: Somaliland rules out closure of Gulen-linked school

Turkey’s Economy Suffering Enormous Post-Coup Purges

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News