10.07.2025 14:22
A handover ceremony was held at the Directorate of Communications. The new President, Burhanettin Duran, took over the position from Fahrettin Altun. In his speech during the ceremony, Altun said, "I truly feel great satisfaction from this. I am happy, proud, and excited," while Duran stated, "I believe there will be a vigorous work ahead. Continuity is essential in the state, and we will strive to carry this flag further."
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According to the decision published in the Official Gazette with the signature of President Erdoğan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Burhanettin Duran has been appointed as the new President of the Directorate of Communications, replacing Fahrettin Altun. Altun's new role is the presidency of the Turkish Human Rights and Equality Institution (TİHEK).
HANDOVER CEREMONY HELD
The development has made a significant impact on the public, and today a handover ceremony was held at the Directorate of Communications following the change of duty. The new president Burhanettin Duran took over the position from Fahrettin Altun.
"WE WORKED TOGETHER FOR MANY YEARS AND WROTE A BOOK"
Speaking at the ceremony, Altun said: "I am handing over the position of President of the Directorate of Communications, which was entrusted to me by our esteemed President 7 years ago, to my very valuable friend, brother, and esteemed professor, our President Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran. I truly feel great satisfaction from this. I am happy, proud, and excited; we have worked together for many years with our esteemed professor Burhanettin."
Since the day our esteemed President appointed us to this duty, we have worked in national and international fields in areas such as strategic communication, public diplomacy, public relations, combating disinformation, and country branding, in line with the vision of our esteemed President. We have strived to establish discourse unity in our state and to enhance the quality of communication between the state and the nation. Since the establishment of our Directorate of Communications, we have made efforts to complete its organization and institutionalization in national and international fields. We have also worked to strengthen our human resources infrastructure, financial capabilities, and legal framework. Throughout this process, dear friends, everything we have done has been thanks to the opportunities provided by our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the vision he has set before us, and his support. We are grateful to him. May God be pleased with him. May He never let him be absent from us."
"I BELIEVE IT WILL BE A DYNAMIC WORK"
Burhanettin Duran stated, "This sacred duty is the position of the Directorate of Communications entrusted to me by our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Taking this over from my brother and friend Fahrettin Altun is a unique source of happiness for me. I believe it will be a dynamic work. Continuity in the state is essential, and we will strive to carry this flag further. We will continue to be the voice, face, and conscience of Turkey. May God give us strength in the services we will provide."
WHO IS BURHANETTİN DURAN?
Burhanettin Duran graduated from Boğaziçi University, Department of Political Science and International Relations in 1993. He completed his master's and doctoral studies at Bilkent University, Department of Political Science and Public Administration. Between 1993 and 2001, he served as a research assistant in the Department of Public Administration at Sakarya University. Later, between 2001 and 2009, he became a faculty member in the Department of International Relations at the same university.
Duran became an associate professor at Sakarya University in 2006 and served as the head of the Department of International Relations from 2006 to 2009. In 2009, he moved to Istanbul Şehir University, where he served as the head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations.
In 2013, Burhanettin Duran was appointed as the general coordinator of SETA's Istanbul branch. He was the first coordinator of SETA's Istanbul office. In 2014, Duran moved to Ankara and began serving as the general coordinator of SETA. With the decision dated May 16, 2024, Duran was appointed as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and on July 10, 2025, he became the President of the Directorate of Communications with the Presidential Decision published in the Official Gazette.
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