The first lecture of the program was given by Cemil Çiçek, former President of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).
The opening ceremony of the Security Academy Certificate Program, which was organized by Near East University Near East Institute, was held at NEU Grand Library Hall 4 on March 5, 2016.
According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of Near East University, Specialists from Cyprus and Turkey, senior bureaucrats, diplomats, and politicians participated in the Security Academy Certificate Educational Program as spokespersons. Cemil Çicek, Ankara MP and former President of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, honored the program by actualizing its opening ceremony and delivering the the first lecture on “Security in the 21st Century”. Very notable figures including TRNC President Mustafa Akıncı, Turkish Ambassador to Nicosia Derya Kanbay, TRNC National Education Minister Kemal Dürüst, MP Ersin Tatar, Head of Civil Defense Organization, directors from institutions and organizations, NGO representatives, NEU Founding Rector Dr. Suat İ. Günsel, University of Kyrenia Rector Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, vice rectors, deans, academic staff as well as students and press members participated in the opening ceremony.
Prof. Dr. Hassan: Security Academy aims to bring an insight into the past, present and future with an approach that puts the unification of global and legal issues forefront.
Addressing to the attending body during his opening speech, Near East University Rector Professor Ümit Hassan touched upon the significance of realizing such a grand opening ceremony with the participation of very notable figures. “Mr. Cemil Çiçek, Ankara MP and the former President of Grand National Assembly of Turkey, will be honoring us by giving the first lecture of the Security Academy Certificate Program and this is the most significant and pleasant event of the day” said he.
Delivering information about the context of the program, Professor Hassan stated that the program would last 12 weeks and it would provide opportunities to discuss regional and global issues with a theoretical and practical approach as well as to analyze the structures of international organizations and bodies such as UN, Security Council and EU.
“The program covers different aspects of security in a wide spectrum. In this context, the program aims to bring a broader insight to global and legal issues by putting the unification of the past, present and future forefront. Since the foreign policies of major states and TRNC, NATO in terms of its relations with Europe, security intelligence and the analysis of international organizations will be covered, the program is weighty and of great importance” said he.
Koldaş: Near East Institute has actualized 53 programs so far
Delivering information regarding the activities carried out by Near East Institute, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş, Director of Near East Institute, touched upon the crucial role of coherence, collaboration, support and coordination in generating scientific and social benefit oriented projects. “Under the guidance of our Board of Trustees and our Rectorate, as Near East Institute, we along with very precious personnel and units of Near East Family have actualized very important scientific and social benefit oriented projects so far. Throughout this process we are extremely appreciated with the unique contributions and support provided by Center of Excellence, our faculties and research centers. We have discussed and analyzed topical issues of our society and the world in the light of scientific methods and findings and shared the results with the public. Along with our scientific reports and projects, we have contributed to raise visual awareness in our society by realizing coordinated history-oriented exhibitions at Near East University, University of Kyrenia and in Turkey. Within this frame, we have actualized “Cyprus Maps Exhibition”, “Piri Reis Exhibition”, Maritime History Exhibition”, Ottoman Conquest of Cyprus Exhibition and Unknown Aspects of Çanakkale (Dardanelles) Naval Wars Exhibition in Istanbul so far” said he.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Koldaş: Throughout 12 week program, we will be scrutinizing different aspects of security under the light shed by field specialist academics, bureaucrats, decision makers and diplomats
Underlining that the program would provide opportunity for academics, bureaucrats, decision-makers and diplomats to provide contribution by offering their ideas, experiences and knowledge on issues regarding different aspects of security, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş stated that security regarding economy, military, politics, environment, energy, information and cyber environment will be discussed in details at national, regional and international level by significant figures that specialized in their fields.
Koldaş also underlined that it was very proud and pleasing that the Former President of TBMM, Former Minister of Justice and Ankara MP Cemil Çiçek would give the first lesson of the program. “I would like to extend my appreciations to Mr. Cemil Çiçek for his unique contributions to the development of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyrus as well as for honoring us by opening the Security Academy Certificate Program and giving the first lecture” said he.
Dürüst: within time, everyone will see that Cemil Çiçek with his constructive messages and firm steps has left his mark in a period of Cyprus Turkish history
Touching upon the significance of organizing such an extremely impressive event, TRNC National Education Minister Kemal Dürüst expressed his views: “It is very pleasing to be here on such significant day. Organizing such a significant event and welcoming dignitary statesman Cemil Çiçek, who has left its mark in a period of our history, is of great importance in terms of well established relations between our country and motherland Turkey. In this regard, I would like to extend my appreciations to Mr. Suat Günsel and his family for this outstanding event” said he.
TRNC President Mustafa Akıncı: Explanations such as “You will be a member of EU, there is no need for other guarantee” do not satisfy the expectations of Turkish Cypriots
Underlining that Liberty, equality and security are inalienable rights for Turkish Cypriots; TRNC President Mustafa Akıncı stated that Turkish Cypriots considered themselves secured under Turkey’s guarantee.
“Parties shouldn’t exert effort to convince each other on issues regarding security. In a possible solution, Turkey’s guarantee for Turkish Cypriots shouldn’t be considered as a treat by Greek Cypriots. Collaboration in some issues such as natural gas, water and electricity can pave the way towards new paradigms and new understanding regarding security” said he.
Akıncı: Liberty, Equality and Security concepts cannot be replaced with anything
TRNC President Mustafa Akıncı evaluated the stage reached in Cyprus problem and delivered information regarding the views of the parties concerning security, energy and political equality. Besides, Akıncı provided detailed information regarding the negotiation process and outcomes of the process. “With rational approaches and confidence building measures, the parties can reach a solution and agreement that both parties can benefit from” said he.
After President Akıncı’s speech, Mr. Cemil Çiçek, Former President of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, took the stage for program’s first lecture on “Security policies in the21st Century”.
I consider myself as an honorary member of Near East University
NEU is an outstanding educational institution of Northern Cyprus. I consider myself as honorary member of this university and I am here amongst you with this feeling. I haven’t given a lecture throughout my political life exceeding 50 years. From what I saw, heard and experienced, I always tried to get a lesson” said he.
Çiçek: Societies, states, and mankind history have a history of security
Underlining that it was not possible to project a security policy for a long term covering hundred years in an era that technology grows at an unprecedented pace, Mr. Cemil Çiçek noted that it would be more appropriate to project such policies for the first quarter century. Emphasizing that societies, states and mankind history had a history of security, Çiçek stated that no state policies could be explained by excluding security. “Globalizing doesn’t allow to reduce international security to a singular level, an event that occurs in any part of the world has a potential to influence a vast of geography” said he.
Underlining that some international organizations such as NATO and UN had become questionable at present, Mr. Çiçek indicated that the countries affiliated with these international organizations had their own security policies. Comparing the old and security environments, Mr. Çiçek drew attention to changing and growing understanding of security and provided information on the issues that included in a country’s security policies. Finally, he highlighted the necessity of collaboration for the implementation of security policies in the21st century.
At the end of the event NEU Founding Rector Dr. Suat İ. Günsel presented a plaque to TBMM Former President Cemil Çiçek.
Then, Mr. Çemil Çiçek toured NEU Classic Automobile Museum. “I am very impressed with the rich collection of the museum. I haven’t seen so many precious classic cars all together so far” said he.
