At a critical time in Turkey’s relationship with the European Union, members of the AEJ Executive Committee visited Ankara and Istanbul. The AEJ delegation was invited by the Presidents of AEJ Turkey Dogan Tilic and of EMD (Economic Reporters Association) Ozlem Doganer. The delegation leader was AEJ Vice-President Jozsef Horvath (Hungary).
During the meeting held with the Minister of Finance, Mehmet Simsek, accession was the main issue under discussion. The subject came back time and again, including during meetings with three CEO’s of important Turkish companies: Ahmet Dorduncu (Sabanci Holding), Sani Sener (TAV Airports Holding) and Paul Doany (TurkTelekom).
Staff of “Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture” not only presented the preparations, plans and programme for 2010, but also showed the AEJ delegation Istanbul’s most interesting and scenic spots including a boat tour on the Bosporus.
On the last evening, in Ankara, a gala dinner took place to mark the occasion of the annual EMD prize. The ‘Golden Pen’ award ceremony took place in the presence of Deputy PM and Super Economy Minister, Ali Babacan and Ferhat Gocer, one of Turkeys most popular singers.