Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) students came together with the 26th Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces (Ret.) İlker Başbuğ at a conference organized by the EMU Atatürk Research and Application Centre. The said conference took place at 14:30 on Friday, the 16th of March 2018 at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Centre. Present in the capacity crowd were Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Civil Defence Organization President Erdoğan Çelebi, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam, Vice Rector for International Affairs and Promotion Prof. Dr. Cem Tanova, Famagusta District Governor Dürdane Acı, EMU Atatürk Research and Application Centre Academic staff member Dr. Turgay Bülent Göktürk, EMU students and members of the general public.
“I am very happy to be at EMU”
Delivering the opening speech of the conference, EMU Atatürk Research and Application Centre Academic staff member Dr. Turgay Bülent Göktürk highlighted that the university hosts prominent national and international figures with the aim of leading to students developing a better understanding the past and future. Dr. Göktürk thanked the 26th Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces (Ret.) İlker Başbuğ for accepting their invitation and read his background. In his conference titled “The Past, Present and Future of Turkish Foreign Policy” 26th Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces (Ret.) İlker Başbuğ indicated that he has visited EMU many times before stating that he is always very happy to be here. Başbuğ also expressed his gratitude to EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam and everyone who contributed in the organization of the conference.
“Follow Atatürk’s path”
26th Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces (Ret.) İlker Başbuğ commenced his presentation by analysing foreign policy and the nation. Başbuğ indicated that he agrees with the expression “Neither friendships or hostility lasts forever” providing the example of Greece and Turkey who were foes during the Turkish War of Independence but became very good allies after the formation of Atatürk’s Republic. Stating that Venizelos the former Prime minister of Greece nominated Mustafa Kemal Atatürk for a Nobel Prize despite previously fighting against him, Başbuğ emphasized that friendships and hostility are volatile but national interest is sustainable and permanent. Noting that the primary mission of the state is to protect territorial integrity and the people living within its borders, Başbuğ stated that success in foreign policy is attainable if Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s path is followed.
Rector Presents Silver Plate
At the end of the conference 26th Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces (Ret.) İlker Başbuğ answered student questions and received a silver plaque from EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam. After the conference, Başbuğ signed his books titled “Sorunlarla Yüzleşmek”, “15 Temmuz Öncesi ve Sonrası”, “Unutulan Ada Kıbrıs”, “20. Yüzyılın En Büyük Lideri Atatürk”, “Terör Örgütlerinin Sonu”, “Ermeni Suçlamaları ve Gerçekler” and “Nasıl Bir Türkiye”.
