While in London to attend the G20 Summit Meeting, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, HE Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, visited the Centre to deliver a lecture on the role of Turkey in the alliance of civilizations.

In the lecture, which was presented to a capacity audience in the Sheldonian Theatre, Mr Erdogan spoke of how the need for such an alliance – particularly in the current context of global economic challenges and climate change – is ever more obvious and urgent. Turkey, owing to the legacy of its geographical and cultural location at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, is perhaps uniquely well placed to influence and foster good relations between the two. The Prime Minister spoke about the compatibility of Turkish culture and European values and  referred to Turkey’s continuing efforts to gain accession to the European Union.

The Director of the Centre reaffirmed how, in the field of inter-cultural and inter-disciplinary scholarship, the Centre is similarly committed to building the mutual understanding and capacity to work together, which must underpin any sustainable alliance of civilisations. The vote of thanks was offered by the Chairman of the Anglo-Turkish Society, Sir Timothy Daunt, KCMG. The Prime Minister was then guest of honour at a dinner in Exeter College hosted by the Director of the Centre.