Atalay speaks at an institute of strategic thinking symposium

The Institute of Strategic Thinking (SDE) yesterday held a symposium in Ankara with regard to the alliance of civilizations and the rising xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia in Europe. As part of the project which is co-chaired by Turkey and supported by 110 countries, a friendship group incorporates 20 international institutions. Speaking at the symposium, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said that lack of information caused fear and doubts among people from different religions, cultures and ethnic structures and threatened the world as much as the deadliest weapons. "The alliance of civilizations project aims to remove fears and doubts between Western and Islamic countries and open a way to dialogue. The project is the most important guarantee of peace in the world," Atalay noted. Stating that huge steps have taken in Turkey in order to remove narrow points of view, fights, taboos and restrictions, Atalay said, "We have aimed at ensuring a fully open society and advanced democracy, because a free individual could realize himself/herself only in an open society. We have adopted the mission of protecting multiple voices and colors. The countries which could have accomplished this yield strong societies." Atalay added that Turkish citizens' confidence in the Turkish state have increased and that Turkey could succeeded in setting an example to other countries thanks to the steps it has taken in democratization.