The Foreign Press Association held its 18th General Assembly, and TV100 TRNC representative Burhan Canbaz was elected President.
The 18th Ordinary General Assembly of the Foreign Press Association took place at the association's premises with strong attendance. The assembly opened with the election of the presiding committee and continued with a moment of silence and the singing of the Turkish national anthem.
Veteran journalist Akay Cemal chaired the presiding committee, assisted by Emir Ersoy and Emine Sivri Karahan.
At the start of the assembly, Hüseyin Turan read out messages from President Ersin Tatar, Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic Ziya Öztürkler, Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, Turkish Journalists' Federation President Yılmaz Karaca, Turkish Press Federation President Sinan Burhan, Turkish Internet Media Association President Süleyman Basa and Çukurova Journalists' Association President Cafer Esendemir.
General Secretary Taner Gönül then presented the financial report for the assembly's approval. The report was adopted unanimously.
The activity report was presented by outgoing President Selim Sayarı, who then addressed the members.
Sayarı recalled that when he took office he had promised to "shake off the structural fatigue of 33 years and ensure the association continues on its way, renewed and strong", and said he was proud to have kept that promise and excited to hand over the flag to the newly elected team.
Sayarı said: "The DBB has the financial strength to stand on its own feet without needing or depending on anyone."
Noting that the Foreign Press Association was the first to launch an aid effort after the 6 February earthquakes, Sayarı said the donations collected were delivered to the earthquake victims through AFAD.
Sayarı added that during the same period the association led efforts to create modern legislation meeting the needs of the new media landscape, and that a draft of new press card regulations had been prepared under the leadership of Press Card Commission representative Fevzi Tanpınar.
Pointing out that relations with sister professional organisations in Anatolia had reached their highest level ever, Sayarı said he believed the new board would raise the flag even higher: "They will continue the honourable journey of the Foreign Press Association, a symbol not only of professional excellence in Cyprus but also of common sense, unity and solidarity in society."
Following the vote at the General Assembly, Burhan Canbaz was elected the new President of the Foreign Press Association.
In his acceptance speech, Canbaz said: "I have served in various positions in this association for many years. Today I am taking over this valuable duty from our founders and our respected elders. I will do my utmost to take our association even further."
Highlighting the Foreign Press Association's active contribution to the island's historical processes, Canbaz spoke about the Cyprus issue, developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the upcoming presidential election.
Recalling that the association's main mission is to make the voice of the Turkish Cypriot people heard around the world, Canbaz said: "We will always be advocates of our motherland's guarantorship and of the presence of the Turkish Armed Forces on the island."
Canbaz noted that two women are serving on the board in the new term and said he and his team aim for a more effective period. He ended his speech by thanking past presidents and respectfully remembering late members.
During the closing section of wishes and suggestions, several members also took the floor to share their views.
The new Board of the Foreign Press Association is as follows:
President: Burhan Canbaz
Vice President: Taner Gönül
General Secretary: Hüseyin Turan
Foreign Relations Secretary: Metin Ziya Güngör
Finance Secretary: Züleyha Karaman
Education Secretary: Didem Gürses
Organisation Secretary: Oshan Sabırlı
Substitute members: Rıza Açıkgöz, Ali Ruhluel
Disciplinary Committee: Akay Cemal, Emir Ersoy
Audit Committee: Fehmi Gürdalı, Birol Bebek, Selim Sayar
High Advisory Council member: Mesut Günsev
Press Card Commission representatives: Fevzi Tanpınar, Taner Gönül
