The directors of Cultural Centers that represent Yunus Emre Institute around the world have come together for the 10th Consultation and Training Meeting, which was launched in Ankara with the participation of Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Deputy Minister Serdar Çam.

Following a mini concert by ney player Burcu Karadağ and her orchestra, Minister Ersoy delivered a keynote speech.

Noting the obvious progress the Institute has made during the last 10 years with the Cultural Centers in many cities around the world such as Seoul, Washington, Moscow, and Johannesburg, Minister Ersoy expressed his satisfaction for being with the masterminds of this gorgeous success story.

"The activities conducted by our Institute essentially seek to increase the number of people who are friendly, and can establish a bond, with Turkey. Earning the hearts of people is superior to all sorts of political achievements," Minister Ersoy said, stressing that Yunus Emre Institute is moving toward the same goal along with Embassies, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, the Overseas Turks and Kin Communities Agency and the Maarif Foundation of Turkey.

Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş indicated that the Institute has been fulfilling its mission of establishing links with the world and increasing the number of Turkey's friends during the last 10 years and it paves the way for creating economic, cultural, academic and humanitarian ties between Turkey and the world by bringing Turkey's cultural assets and language to the attention of the world through a number of projects conducted under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey.

Institute President Ateş pointed out that the Institute is working to develop a cultural diplomacy concept that is unique to Turkey and the Institute's basic philosophy is "compassion, empathy and unity."

The consultation and training meeting will last for four days. The opening ceremony ended with the attendants positing for a family photo.