HEADLINES | TASAM Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies

In the second half of the 80s and in the 90s, the Balkan states were faced with serious economic and political challenges whose impact altered the logic of social living. These changes were simultaneous with some other crucial changes taking place at the world level. While the so-called Eastern Block was faced with radical social changes,

In 2003 a film by the Bulgarian director Adela Peeva, named "Whose is This Song" attracted the attention of many film-reviewers in Europe. The story narrated in the film is simple - the main character, the film-maker herself trav-els around all countries in the Balkan peninsula and,

The Macedonian politics is fully oriented towards embracing, imple-menting and respect of the highest internationally established democratic prin-ciples and values. This profile of our politics on democracy and peace build­ing is deeply rooted in the tradition of ethnic and religious tolerance of the people in Macedonia centuries ago (not to forget the influence and traces of the Osmanli Millet system).

As is known, Turkey was accepted as one of the strategic partners of Africa at the 12th ordinary meeting of the Executive Council of African Union which was held in Addis Ababa between 25-29 of January 2008. If we consider the fact that only countries such as People’s Republic of China, Japan, South Korea and India have been previously deemed as strategic partners of the Organisation before, the importance of the qualification that Africa has granted Turkey becomes quite meaningful.

The Pakistani Government regards the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden an important milestone in the war against terrorism. The Pakistani Government, its security and state institutions have long been serious on efforts to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice. The Pakistanis have been engaged in counter terrorism efforts since 911 and have worked closely with US and its allies in the war on terror.

The Straits of Malacca commands a navigational water route for nearly sixty percent of world trade as well as one of the busiest waterways in the world with more than sixty thousand ships passing through per annum.

Mister Chairman, distinguished participants, dear friends; It is my pleasure to take part in this very interesting "International Balkan Congress". I would like to express my appreciation for excellent organization and commend previous speakers which offered us a lot of fresh and new ideas and views on the present situation and the future of the Balkans.

First of all I would like to express gratitude to our hosts, the Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM) and Tekirdağ Governorship, together with Namık Kemal University who, by organizing this International Congress, gave us the opportunity to meet each other and exchange views on issues in which we are all interested, since we share the same region, its past, present and future.