Turkey: Bridge Between East and West?

Hosted by: AIIA Victoria

The event will start on: Wednesday, 17 November 2010 5:30 PM

And will end on: Wednesday, 17 November 2010 7:00 PM

At Dyason House

124 Jolimont Road East , Melbourne Victoria

03 9654 7271     events.vic@aiia.asn.au

Posted by: vic   

Located at a key geopolitical crossroad, Turkey is today poised to play an increasingly significant role in international affairs.  As a member of NATO, Turkey is part of the western strategic alliance forged at the time of the Cold War.  It is currently seeking to strengthen its ties with Europe through closer economic integration, with its aspiration to join the European Union.  At the same time, Turkey has close and historic links with a number of Islamic countries in the Middle East.  It also maintains relations with Israel, though this has been severely strained by recent events surrounding attempts by Turkish based NGOs to provide aid to Gaza.  A secular state, created by Kemal Ataturk in the 1920s, there are, however, growing tensions within Turkey from political and religious groups which in various ways pose a challenge to the existing order.  Despite the global economic crisis, the Turkish economy has performed remarkable well.  With its links to Europe and the Middle East, Turkey could potentially play an important role as a bridge between East and West.  These and other issues will be examined by our speakers.

Mr Aydin Nurhan is Consul-General of Turkey in Melbourne.  As a member of Turkey’s foreign service, he has previously served in Saudi Arabia, Holland, Germany, the United States, Azerbaijan and Austria.  He was, before coming to Melbourne, the acting Chairman of the Centre for Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.  Prior to his diplomatic career, he practised in law.  Mr Nurhan has also been a media columnist, radio programmer and speaker, university lecturer, and has published a number of articles.  His main field of interest is globalisation.  He has been awarded an honorary doctorate.

Dr Luca Anceschi is a lecturer in the Politics and International Relations Program at La Trobe University.  His main area of research interest includes the politics and international relations of the Middle East and Central Asia.  His recently published book, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Policy: Positive Neutrality and the Consolidation of the Turkoman Regime, is the first book-length analysis of Turkmen foreign policy published by a western scholar.  His current research projects include an examination of Asia’s energy security and an analysis of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy.  He is a graduate of L’Orientale University of Naples and La Trobe University.

 Tickets payable at the door :

• Members                      $20
• Non-Members                $30
• Student Members            $10
• Student Non-Members    $15

Refreshments and snacks will be served.

Please advise us at least one day before the event.

 Event Flyer:  AIIAV - 2010 Nurhan Aydin Mr Anceschi Luca Dr 7.11.10 (143.9 kB)