For this reason, this symposium, where the economic, social, political and historical issues surrounding the Middle East were extensively discussed, was an example of good collaborative work attracting the contribution and participation of some 30 academics known for their expertise on the Middle East. Hatay, home to different cultures and to peaceful coexistence of people from different backgrounds, is Turkey’s gate to the Middle East due to two border gates: Cilvegözü with Syria and the Port of Iskenderun.Professor Ali Arslan from İstanbul University, who delivered the opening speech at the event, noted that there are long-standing ties of brotherhood between Turks, Arabs and Persians, adding that the conflicts between these communities have never been significant or noteworthy. To him, cooperation between these nations has always been against a common enemy. For this reason, they should reconsider cooperation for the prosperity and happiness of the peoples in the region. The current Islamic identity of the region is owed to the Ottoman Empire. Without the Ottoman era, Christianity could have been the dominant religion because of the impact and influence of the Portuguese and the Venetians. Ruhsar Pekcan from DEİK noted that the total volume of bilateral foreign trade between Turkey and Syria was $200 million when the Turkish-Syrian Business Council was first launched, adding that the current figure exceeds $3 billion. Çetin Gürcün from the Turkish Association of Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) recalled that about 500,000 Syrians visit Turkey every year for tourism purposes. He further noted that the number of Turks visiting Syria is on the rise since the lifting of visa requirements between the two countries; however, he underlines that the visitors still have some minor problems at the gates. Dr. Muhammad Adil, chair of the Turkish-Arab Science, Culture and Arts Association (TASCA), stressed that the recent Turkish-Arabic rapprochement in political and economic fields should be followed and backed by strategic cooperation. Oytun Orhan from ORSAM said border disputes are no longer serious problems for Turkey, whereas Assistant Professor Veysel Ayhan from Abant İzzet Baysal University and ORSAM described Lebanon’s political infrastructure, which is determined by religious sect. Associate Professor Özlem Tür from ORSAM and Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) noted that the ongoing crisis in Turkish-Israeli relations is not healthy. The histories of Iraq, Hatay and Antakya were also discussed at the symposium in separate sessions.
The symposium held in Antakya shows that we need additional mechanisms for further cooperation in the region. For this reason, we may apply the model of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in the region as well. An eastern Mediterranean economic cooperation organization may be created; this organization may have close ties with the Arab League. Moreover, Middle Eastern intellectuals may pioneer an endeavor by which a Middle Eastern house is created to maintain dialogue between intellectuals in the region. Bringing together intellectuals concerned about local problems and issues may prevent further conflicts and disputes and contribute to the resolution of existing ones. Dialogue between politicians and businessmen is based on observance of interests. Dialogue between intellectuals, on the other hand, is focused on achievement of lasting and viable peace and friendship between peoples.
