ISTANBUL
Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Klaus Schwab on Tuesday said that Turkey harmonized a secular democracy with a predominantly Muslim population and was an example to countries trying to get rid of dictatorships.
Speaking at the inauguration of the World Economic Forum on Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, Schwab said that they were able to transform global economy and social reality despite a series of problems such as national debt problems, residential loans problems and Arab spring.
With its unique geographic position, Turkey sits at the most western part of the east and most eastern part of the west. Despite the global economic crisis, Turkey is the fastest growing country in the OECD. Such a situation is a reason for hope for many people, Schwab stressed.
For the first time in the 42 year history of the WEF, we have organized a regional summit and are holding a meeting on three different regions, Schwab also said.
Co-chair of WEF Muhtar Kent
The co-chair of the WEF on Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, Muhtar Kent said that, when one looks at the big players that affect world politics, financial crisis, issues pertaining to energy, the issue of water, foreign investments, trade, economic integration, and environmental sustainability all intersect at one point as many regions do in Istanbul.
The transformation that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall a generation ago now could be seen in North Africa. Change and transformation have influenced everyone and such a liveliness could be seen in the best way possible in North Africa and Middle East, Kent stressed.
