The IV Global Media Forum, which started in Shusha on July 13, continues its work with panel sessions. About 160 media representatives, experts, and officials from 53 countries of the world are represented at the forum dedicated to the topic "The mission of media in promoting peace: Restoring truth and rebuilding trust".
Modern.az learned the impressions of Turkish journalists among those participating in the forum.
In his statement to our website, Cabbar Şıktaş, founder and editor-in-chief of "Yeşil Iğdır" and "15 Temmuz" newspapers, publicist, stated that the organization of the Shusha Forum is at the highest level:
"I am currently in Shusha, Azerbaijan. The IV Shusha Global Media Forum, which has been going on for two days, is attended by 160 media representatives from 53 countries of the world. We also participated in this important international event at the invitation of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The organization of the forum is really at a high level. Even the smallest details have not been overlooked. Every stage of the program, from the reception of guests to the session held with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev, has been professionally planned. The meaningful and dynamic program continues at full speed. Although waking up at 08:00 in Iğdır sometimes seems difficult, in Shusha we start the day at 05:00, complete our preparations and join the event program from the first hours of the day. In Azerbaijan, people generally start the day very early. Business life also revives from early hours. Meetings start at 08:00 Turkish time. The participation of the head of state in events held at those hours is an example of this."
C. Şıktaş spoke about President Ilham Aliyev's participation in the Forum as follows:
"His speech and the performance he demonstrated in general were truly impressive. The President seemed extremely energetic. He listened carefully to all the questions asked, remembered them, and answered all of them in English. For participants who did not know English, translation was provided promptly. President Ilham Aliyev, who answered the questions of 20 journalists among the forum participants, demonstrated that he was deeply familiar with every topic. He knew exactly what to say where, and gave measured, reasoned, and appropriate answers to all questions. Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, Russia-Ukraine war, Iran-US relations, events in the Middle East, Europe-Azerbaijan relations... In short, the most topical issues on the agenda of world politics were raised, and the President answered all these questions professionally."
The journalist also noted the President's views on relations with Turkey.
"Your head of state said these things when talking about relations with Turkey. "Turkey is our brotherly country and our ally. We have signed the Shusha Declaration together with esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. There is no difference between the two countries. 160 representatives from the USA, China, Russia, Ukraine, and many European countries are participating here. We have good dialogue with all countries and we will continue to develop these relations." President Ilham Aliyev answered all questions addressed to him during the approximately three-hour question-and-answer session without taking notes. He answered questions asked in English fluently in English, and listened to foreign representatives who did not know English through translation and answered in English again. His attention to questions and high concentration were truly commendable. While listening to his speech in the hall, we discussed the ideas he expressed among ourselves, and noted the importance of the messages he gave and the logical sentences he constructed. Undoubtedly, the most striking and most important part of the IV Shusha Global Media Forum was the session attended by President Ilham Aliyev. As security personnel performed their duties with great responsibility as always, it was not easy to take a picture with the President this time either. After President Ilham Aliyev's speech, the forum continued its work. Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev also showed close interest in the guests and answered their questions. His sincere attitude and hospitality were highly appreciated by the event participants."
The Turkish journalist said that this is his 4th visit to Shusha:
"After the Second Karabakh War and the liberation of Shusha from occupation, I am coming to this city for the fourth time. It is a great pleasure to witness astonishing changes on each of my visits. The work done is not limited to small innovations. Extremely large-scale projects have been implemented here. Hundreds of kilometers of roads, tunnels connecting cities, new settlements, cities, towns, streets, schools, hospitals, airports... In short, all infrastructure from A to Z has been built and this process continues. All these projects implemented in liberated Karabakh are realized at the expense of Azerbaijan's own financial capabilities. It is a remarkable fact that construction work of this scale is carried out without foreign credit or international financial support. The Karabakh conflict is now behind us. Dialogue with Armenia has begun. Various products, including fuel, are sent from Azerbaijan to Armenia. Relations between the two countries are gradually normalizing. The IV Shusha Global Media Forum also aims to convey the truths to the world community, demonstrate the work done in the region on site, and contribute to the peace process. The changes taking place in the region give reason to look to the future with optimism. We once again thank the Administration of the President of Azerbaijan for inviting us to the IV Shusha Global Media Forum. We also express our gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev, who revived Karabakh in a short time and practically rebuilt the region. We also extend our sincere thanks to the organizing team, who welcomed us with high hospitality and kept every detail in mind throughout the forum."
Manolya Bulut, a journalist for the "Pusula" newspaper operating in Erzurum, Turkey, and the head of the newspaper's News (Intelligence) Department, also said that the Shusha Global Media Forum was organized at an extremely professional and high level:
"It is extremely valuable for journalists from different countries of the world to come together on the same platform, exchange ideas, and discuss current issues in the media field. President Ilham Aliyev's patient, direct, and detailed answers to all journalists' questions for a long time also attracted special attention. The head of state's establishment of such an open dialogue with international media allows different views to be expressed. I believe that such platforms make an important contribution to increasing transparency, strengthening mutual understanding and trust."
M. Bulut noted that after returning to Turkey, she will first share the reconstruction process she witnessed live in Azerbaijan:
"Especially the projects implemented in Shusha and Karabakh are of great importance not only in terms of physical restoration but also in terms of revitalizing social life. In addition, I will share with my audience the hospitality of the Azerbaijani people, the strong fraternal ties with Turkey, and the dialogue environment created by this forum for international media. I think the most important message is that it is extremely valuable for journalists from different countries to see the events on site, observe the process directly, and inform the public based on their personal impressions, not on prejudices."
