9. 5. 2012
On Monday, 7 May 2012, the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) presented the award “World Personality of the Decade” to Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Prime Minister of Turkey, The award was handed to him by the honorary president of IFIMES - Mr Stjepan Mesić (the former President of the Republic of Croatia) and the Vice President of the Advisory Board of the Institute - Mr Zoran Živković (the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia). The introductory speech at the award ceremony was given by the director of IFMES Mr Zijad Bećirovi and a letter from the president of the IFIMES Council Mr Craig T. Smith (former White House Political Director) was read to those present. Mr Janez Škrabec, Director of Rico, d.o.o., who was also present at this ceremony, expressed his sincere congratulations to Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his outstanding contribution to world peace and to the success and prosperity of the Republic of Turkey.
Over the past decade, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister of Turkey, has become a recognized world leader. Under his leadership, Turkey has succeeded in having an economic breakthrough which has brought many positive changes and developments in all areas. Mr Erdoğan's contribution to global stability and security is especially apparent in the regions of the Middle East and the Balkans. Under the leadership of Mr Erdoğan, Turkey has become a country that is needed by both the East and the West - and Erdoğan has become a respected world leader.
Some of his actions particularly worth mentioning are his efforts for cooperation and dialogue within Turkey itself as well as in the neighbouring countries, in the region and around the world, as written in the explanation to the certificate of recognition, in which his numerous initiatives are highlighted. One of these is the Alliance of Civilizations initiative, which he and the former Spanish socialist Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, launched in 2005 within the framework of the United Nations. This was an attempt at rapprochement between companies that are being misused by extremists and at overcoming various inter-civilizational prejudices, misconceptions and polarization that potentially threaten world peace.
The most difficult task for any politician and prime minister is to gain recognition in their own country, especially now during the global economic crisis. But Erdoğan and his government have managed to make an economic miracle. He has thus gained respect not only in his home country but also in the wider region and around the world. The numerous initiatives he has taken show that his politics unselfishly contribute to regional and global stability and security. Mr Erdogan has proven that the modern world needs Turkey and that Turkey needs the modern world. So the award he was given also represents a form of recognition to his closest friends, co-workers and all the citizens of the Republic of Turkey, as written in the explanation to the certificate of recognition.