27.03.2026 19:10
The "Strategic Importance of the Eastern Mediterranean Forum 2026" held in the TRNC brought together important figures from the worlds of politics, academia, and strategy. Here are the highlights from the event, which addressed many critical topics ranging from geopolitical developments to energy policies...
Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) and the International Association for Social, Cultural, and Academic Relations (USKAID) organized the "Strategic Importance Forum of the Eastern Mediterranean" in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The event, held at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center in Famagusta, featured prominent figures from academia, politics, and international relations.
The opening speeches of the forum were delivered by the President of the International Association for Social, Cultural, and Academic Relations (USKAID) Av. Selman YARAY, the Minister of Economy and Energy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Olgun AMCAOĞLU, the Rector of Eastern Mediterranean University Prof. Dr. Hasan KILIÇ, Edirne Member of Parliament Prof. Dr. Mehmet AKALIN, Chairman of the Turkey-Azerbaijan Friendship Group, Chairman of the AIPPA Economic Commission, and Istanbul Member of Parliament for the 28th Term Şamil AYRIM, Konya Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Turkey-TRNC Parliamentary Friendship Group Orhan ERDEM, Istanbul Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Turkish Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (AIPPA) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hulki CEVİZOĞLU.
THE FIRST SESSION ADDRESSED "GEOPOLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS" The first session of the forum, coordinated by Arif Ekşi, evaluated regional and global developments under the title "Geopolitics and International Relations." National Intelligence Academy, Security Expert Prof. Dr. Nurşin ATEŞOĞLU GÜNEY, Prof. Dr. Hasan ÜNAL from Başkent University, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Prof. Dr. Yalçın SARIKAYA, Head of the International Relations Department at Giresun University, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, and Prof. Dr. Uğur ÖZGÖKER, Head of the International Relations Department at Istanbul Arel University, Vice President of DMW - International Diplomats Association, spoke.
THE SECOND SESSION DISCUSSED "ENERGY, ECONOMY, AND LAW" The second session of the day highlighted "energy, economy, and law." In the second session, Prof. Dr. Vedat YORUCU from Eastern Mediterranean University, Faculty of Business and Economics, Prof. Dr. Cemal ZEHİR, Strategy Expert from Yıldız Technical University, Faculty of Business and Economics, Mehmet ÖĞÜTÇÜ, President of Global Resources Partnership, Former Diplomat and Energy Strategist, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aylin G. Gürzel AKA from the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Eastern Mediterranean University, Gökhan GÜLER, Secretary General of the TRNC Mediterranean Strategic Research Center, and Dr. Ekrem TEYMUR, Expert in Artificial Intelligence & Probabilistic Modeling, provided evaluations.
MINISTER AMCAOĞLU: THE TURKISH PEOPLE'S PEACE EFFORT IS AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD The Minister of Economy and Energy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Olgun Amcaoğlu, stated:
"In these days when everyone talks about war, when everyone speaks of death, and when everyone cruelly slaughters children, the elderly, and women, the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have shown how desperately the Turkish people are trying to support these issues with humanitarian approaches. The Turkish people's efforts for peace are an important contribution to the world."
EKREM TEYMUR: A TECHNOLOGY ZONE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN THE TRNC Dr. Ekrem Teymur, Chairman of the Board of News.com and Expert in Artificial Intelligence & Probabilistic Modeling, made technology-focused evaluations.
Proposing the establishment of a technology zone in the TRNC, Ekrem Teymur emphasized that the student potential on the island should be preserved and transformed into technology-focused production. He stated that this structure should operate independently of the existing legal system and said:
"A special jurisdiction area should be created, managed entirely outside of Cypriot law, a kind of special sovereignty zone. There will be no bureaucracy here. A special structure should be established that allows company formation within a maximum of 48 hours. There is a very serious human resource and brain power here. This brain power should remain on the island and benefit the island."
MEHMET ÖĞÜTÇÜ: TURKEY CAN CHANGE THE GAME Mehmet Öğütçü, President of Global Resources Partnership, Former Diplomat, and Energy Strategist, made the following assessment:
"Energy cooperation is strengthening between Greece, Southern Cyprus, and Israel. They did not include Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean Natural Gas Exporters Union, but they made a mistake. Turkey can be a game changer or a game disruptor."
MEHMET AKALIN: THE CARDS ARE BEING SHUFFLED AGAIN IN THE WORLD Edirne Member of Parliament Prof. Dr. Mehmet Akalın drew attention to global economic developments:
"We are at an important turning point. While a 2% growth was expected in the global economy this year, there is currently talk of a contraction between 2-3%. The balances in the world are changing, and the cards are being shuffled again."
ORHAN ERDEM: WE MUST BE STRONG IN THE REGION Konya Member of Parliament Orhan Erdem addressed military and political developments in the region:
"A ruthless war is ongoing in our geography. An unjust slow destruction is being inflicted on all neighboring countries. When there was a drone attack on Southern Cyprus, Southern Cyprus seized this opportunity and requested military buildup from the EU and various countries, increasing its military presence. In this troubled time for the world, we must be strong. Significant developments and investments have been made in defense under the vision of our President. We have no eye on anyone's land. We are making these investments to instill confidence in friends and fear in enemies."
HULKİ CEVİZOĞLU: TO UNDERSTAND THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN, ONE MUST LOOK TO HISTORY Istanbul Member of Parliament Hulki Cevizoğlu highlighted the historical background of the region:
"To understand the Eastern Mediterranean, it is not enough to look at the map.
One must look at history and the past. In the US-Israel and Iran war, everyone is asking Iran, 'Why are you firing missiles at neighboring countries?' but the US is attacking Iran from a thousand kilometers away, and Iran has no capability to launch missiles from that distance; instead, it targets US attack points located in neighboring countries. They say China will become a global power, but if it is to become a global power, it should have shown itself in this war. Our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, always says, 'The world is bigger than five; a fairer world is possible.' Yes, we must establish a fairer world. Today, NATO, which has lost its function, and the United Nations have turned into ghost organizations. They have lost their functions.
SHAMIL AYRIM: PERMANENT PEACE IS POSSIBLE WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW Shamil Ayrım, the Chairman of the Turkey-Azerbaijan Friendship Group, used the following statements in his speech:
"In such a period where our surroundings have turned into a ring of fire, it is very important to hold this meeting. It will be beneficial to seriously evaluate the results and take them into account in the decision-making stages. It is impossible for any structure to be established in the Eastern Mediterranean to succeed without considering the Turkish Cypriots. The establishment of lasting peace in the region is only possible by taking fairness and international law into account."
HASAN ÜNAL: THE US WILL EXPERIENCE A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER IN THE MIDDLE EAST Prof. Dr. Hasan Ünal, a faculty member at Başkent University, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, used the following statements in his speech:
"The US-Israel Iran War has dealt a serious blow to the US's world leadership, and at the end of this war, it will experience a significant loss of power in the Middle East."
Here are some snapshots from the forum: