THE OPENING SESSION OF THE FIRST ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS FORUM
15 January 2008, Madrid, Spain

My dear colleague, Prime Minister Zapatero,
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon,
High Representative Sampaio,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are gathered here today for an important occasion.

We are proud to have reached another significant milestone in the Alliance of Civilizations initiative which we launched together with Spain in  2005, under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General.

First of all, I wish to thank  my dear colleague Prime Minister Zapatero who is hosting this first Forum and High Representative Sampaio who has placed his extensive experience and wisdom at the service of our initiative.

In actual fact, the Alliance of Civilizations initiative has reached a certain level of maturity within a short space of two years.

As capital, information and values become  increasingly globalized in our world today, it is unfortunate that hatred, fear and intolerance are globalized, too.

Just as we were hoping that societies would get better acquainted with  each other and misunderstandings would be removed, we have been confronted with the threat of deepening gaps as prejudice and ignorance take hold.

While the senseless fanaticism caused by the emphasis on dividing lines leads to tradegy in one part of the world, societies prosper in other regions. Fanaticism is to respect our own right to life, to disregard other people’s right to life and to prevent diversity from expressing  itself freely.

Anyone in the world today with something to say, regardless of his country and his religious affiliation, has to fight fanaticism, because we are all responsible not just for ourselves, but also for the rights of all living creatures.

To regard diversity as alien and to isolate “the other” is the starting point for division and conflict. The correct thing to do, however, is to regard all creatures in the same vein and to achieve unity in plurality.

The Alliance of Civilizations project has been devised to put an end to the prejudices and polarizations on the basis of civilizations, cultures and religions. We can deal with this challenge only through a long term, well-planned and determined effort. We may thus take the necessary steps to remove not only the problems which are visible, but also the fundamental elements which give rise to them. In this respect, the importance of solidarity and cooperation is obvious.

The initiative is assuming an increasingly global character and reaching ever greater mass of people through the cooperation it fosters. Action- and result-oriented projects are extending the coverage of the Alliance of Civilizations and enhancing its effectivess. In fact, the projects to be officially launched at this Forum on the media and the youth will fill important gaps.
Since our age depends upon information and communication, the media has an important role to play in transforming misunderstandings into proper appreciation.

Of course, these steps constitute only the beginning. They should be followed with new projects in the future. In this direction, the National Strategies for cross-cultural dialogue to be prepared by participating countries will no doubt form an important indicator. They will both respond to significant requirements at the local level and constitute the building blocks of a common global endeavour.

I am pleased to declare that Turkey has prepared its National Strategy and and will present it during the Forum. Our Strategy rests on the principles of plurality, respect for diversity,  cooperation, dialogue, respect for human dignity and gender equality. A National Coordination Committee comprising the relevant Ministries and institutions will oversee the implementation of the Strategy.

Distinguished guests,

The issues I have just outlined assume a greater significance when considered together with Turkey’s own location. Turkey is a secular and democratic republic which has an overwhelmingly muslim population and a dynamic market economy. Turkey is the only country which is a member of both the Organization for Islamic Conference and NATO and pursuing accession negotiations with the European Union.

The process for Turkey’s accession to the European Union process is therefore an issue which is closely followed around the world and could have deep repercussions on a global scale. There is no diversion in Turkey’s resolve to abide by its obligations with respect to aligning itself with the European Union. In this respect, Turkey does not expect any special favour or treatment by the European Union, either. Turkey’s membership in the European Union will also significantly enhance the Alliance of Civilizations process.

Our apppeal from this rostrum is that this opportunity should be appreciated and acted upon, because every hurdle to be placed in Turkey’s path for religious or  cultural reasons will become bricks in a wall cutting off the road to enlightenment, harmony and tolerance.

Distinguished guests,

The risks carried by the polarization and conflict which is being provoked between diverse cultures and faiths around the world oblige us to take resolute steps today. We should devise some measures on the basis of culture and faith, in order to remove the potential risks and threats. A further point which I wish to emphasize is that Turkey has always supported every initiative and effort designed to achieve harmony among diverse cultures and faiths, to raise awareness on this issue and to resist prejudice and intolerance. The important element here is to ensure the optimal use of limited resources and to act with a spirit of serving humanity, rather than  competition.

Distinguished guests,

I would like to conclude my statement by thanking Spain for hosting this useful Forum and wishing all my friends every success in their efforts here today and tomorrow. I am pleased to invite you all to Turkey next year on the occasion of  the Second Forum. I sincerely and respectfully greet you all.