ITALIAN CENTER FOR TURKISH STUDIES GATHERED ITALIAN AND TURKISH ACADEMICIANS TOGETHER IN IZMIR.
Italian Center for Turkish Studies, the center of which is located in Milan is formed for the purpose of developing cooperation between Italian and Turkish academicians and made its first meeting in Istanbul at the beginning of this month. The center brought Turkish and Italian academicians together in Izmir for its second meeting. Dr. Carlo Frappi from Milan, Dr. Giovanni Ercolani from Paris, Dr. Gareth Winrow from Istanbul Bilgi University, Dragos Mateescu from Izmir University of Economics and Dr. Kemal Kaya from East West Studies Institute were the coordinators of the panel entitled “The Meaning of a New Initiative of Scientific Cooperation”.
In the panel that not only the academicians but also businessmen and institutions such as Turkish Industrialists'and Businessmen's Association and Izmir Chamber of Commerce, Izmir University of Economics International Relations and EU instructor Dragos Mateescu stated that by creating a network not only between the academicians but also between analysts, journalists and businessmen of the two countries they aimed to exchange views especially about Turkey’s foreign affairs, economics and security. Izmir University of Economics Head of Department of International Relations and EU Assoc. Prof. Filiz Başkan stated that geographic proximity, cultural affinity and a balanced foreign policy have, in fact, made Turkey a key actor in the region and said, “It is very important for Turkey to play an active role in the international activities in the process of accession to EU.”
Italian Center for Turkish Studies will publish an annual activity report after the conferences in Rome and Milan next year and later on again in Istanbul and Izmir.
