Speech by Governor, Director General of TNP Gokhan Aydiner of Turkey
Distinguished Ministers,
Dear Colleagues,
Prominent Scientists and Researchers,
All Visitors and Participants
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to salute and welcome all of our distinguished guests on behalf of the Turkish National Police and myself.
Distinguished Guests,
About eight months ago, our Prime Minister H.E. Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN expressed his views regarding organizing a Conference on combating against international crime and terrorism for global security. Our Minister of Interior H.E. Abdülkadir AKSU has conveyed his orders to us and we have started to work on this project.
Naturally, we have specified the topics of the Conference based on the main challenges and threats. We assembled the topics of “Istanbul Conference on Democracy and Global Security” under four main headlines.
1- The International and Transnational Aspect of Security
2- National and Local Aspect of Security
3- Law Enforcement Units of Democracy and Security
4- The Experience of Turkey on Security and her Geopolitical Features
Actually, if we need to sum it up, the essence of the Conference can be expressed as International Cooperation against Global Terror and Transnational Crime.
The Turkish State and the Turkish Units of Security, in one of the most critical geographies of the world, bounded by the rules of democracy and always trying to improve for a better one in their continious fight terrorism; have a lot to share on this subject. Turkish State believes deeply in the necessity of international cooperation on the fight against terrorism and transnational crime and tries to realize this in her utmost limits.
The 256 legal documents consisting of Agreements, Protocols and MOU’s signed with 51 different countries on security cooperation field form the legal framework of our efforts in this issue.
I believe, with my personal experience, that the key element in the success of a joint action highly depends on the belief in the necessity of such a cooperation as well as frankness, sincerity and honesty. I would like to leave my comments on this subject to my presentation where I will have the chance to bring my ideas to your attention.
Following the definition of the topics of the Conference, when sending our invitation letters, we were seriously concerned of such a short notice and the lack of time that the academicians have for their presentations. However, we know now that these concerns were in vain. The subject of the Conference is so important and so up to date that, this whole fascinating group of experts is gathered here today in the heart of Turkey, in Istanbul.
Here today at this room, we have 1 Deputy Prime Minister, 6 Ministers of Interior and Ministers in charge of Security, 14 Undersecretaries and Deputy Undersecretaries, 17 Directors of Security, 22 Deputy Directors of Security Units and high level Bureucrats, Directors of Security of 18 Metropolitans of the world, and 526 Academicians, Strategy Planners or Experts out which 180 of them are from Turkey.
Following the Opening Ceremony, during the Conference, 45 workshops and 12 round tables will be formed and 295 presentations will be submitted for the attendees.
I believe that at the end of this conference, the results coming out of the scientific studies and the deductions of common practice, although may seem to clash; will eventually complement each other. Thus, the desire to strengthen the joint action against terrorism and transnational crime which threatens the humanity today as well as in the future, will be reinforced.
I am sure that many statesmen as well as security officers will benefit from the results of the presentations, research reports and all the outcomes of the Conference.
Distinguishes Guest,
Last but not the least, another point that I want to emphasize is the location of our Conference. Istanbul which embodies innumerous conferences, festivals seminars, and panels of science, arts and politics all year round is a cradle of civilizations with its unique location linking the two continents and embodying a very rich history and culture. We wanted to let you some free time to explore this fascinating city and meet the hospitable Turkish people during your stay and we hope that you enjoy your experience in Istanbul.
I fully believe in the success of this Conference and we owe it all to you. Thus, I would like to thank you again for your presence, contributions and participation and I welcome all of you to our country.
Finally I would like to extend my special thanks to all of our staff who have made a tremendous effort for the realization of this Conference as well as to all the institutions for their gracious contributions to our Minister of State and Minister of Interior for their continuous support.
Let all the success and glory be ours,