The Yunus Emre Institute hosted the consultation meeting of the "New Silk Road" cooperation project with participation of representatives from organizations and institutes from Azerbaijan and Italy.

Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, representing Yunus Emre Institute, the leading institute in this meeting which has been held for the purpose of hosting a series of activities in the "New Silk Road" countries; Prof. Dr. Günay Afandıyeva, chairman of the Turkish Culture and Legacy Foundation; Ass. Prof. Marco Zaganells, Director of Ugo Spirito and Renzo De Felice Foundation; Guiseppe Reggia, CEO of Eurosis Danışmanlık A.Ş.; Rustam Mammadov, International Relations Director of Turkish Culture and Legacy Foundation; and Sevim Aktaş, Yunus Emre Institute Rome Director were all present at the meeting.

In his keynote speech, Prof. Dr. Ateş stated the purpose of this meeting is to discuss possible venues of cooperation in terms of public diplomacy, culture, education finance between all countries en route, starting with Turkic Giants including Turkey and stretching all the way to Italy.

Pointing out to the fact that international relationships develop and personal level, Ateş emphasized that this project will bring peace, justice and tranquility. Each organization in attendance for this purpose were informed on how they can do their part and act in unison.

Emphasizing on the fact that setting forth purposes clearly would make working towards common interest and values easier and contribute to living in a qualified world, Prof. Dr. Ateş stated that activities held in Yunus Emre Institute centers, particularly Turkey Academic and Scientific Cooperation Project (TABİP), would improve business relations between institutes such as foreign and Turkish universities and contribute to the project. 

"The New/Modern Silk Road"

The project, which has been developed as a platform for activities which will be held in various countries with themes such as public diplomacy, culture, education, and finance following positive feedback received for two conferences titled "The New Silk Road" with the first held in 2015 January in Istanbul and the second held in 2017 October in Rome, are based on universal and humanitarian values within the frame of the new world and technological advances.

The goal of the project is to create a corridor that connects East and Southeast Asia with Central Asia, Middle East, Europe and Africa.

In the scope of the project, the line comprised of high speed trains, airports, power plants and pipelines is designed to pass through 65 countries. The project, which stipulates combined efforts of countries for developing sustainable cooperation within the frame of common benefits, also aims to have YEI be considered as the leading institution, establish areas of cooperation, and create new ideas by developing a long term strategy for success.