Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM) and Honorary Consul General of Turkey Ms. Nurten Ural, organized a special dinner night for the Lebanese-American community leaders. The event indicated that TACAM was going to continue working on its most important strategy of “Strengtehing the voice of Turkish American community” and “collabarating with other ethnic communities” in 2011.
TACAM President Mr. Feridun Bek indicated that TACAM successfully participated the annual Lebenase Festival that was held on August 2010 in Rochester Hills. With this gathering, the association wanted to thank the Lebanese-American community leaders as well as TACAM event manager Elif Cila and ensure a systematic development of Turkish – Lebanese friendship, political and cultural relations by creating a synergy between the two communities. Honorary Consul General Ural, mentioned about the importance of Lebanese – Turkish American relations and provided hand-outs printed specifically to highlight these relations.
Lebanese Consul General of Michigan Bachir S. Tawk, indicated that the recent removal of the visa requirements between the two countries was going to strengthen the relations. President of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce John Akouri emphasized the natural ties and the positive history between the two countries and indicated that they were planning on bringing the Lebanese American and Turkish American communities together with more events and organizations in 2011. TACAM Turkish American Broad Advocacy Network (TABAN) committee chair Ümit Menemenci, presented a TACAM 2011 leadership plaque to Mr. Akouri for his contributions to the development of Lebanese – Turkish relations.
Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) TABAN director Yenal Küçüker, emphasized the importance of such partnerships and the strength that these partnerships provide for a successful advocacy. President Bek indicated that the collaboration that TACAM had with ATAA and Turkish Coalition of America (TCA), under the leadership of Ümit Menemenci and TACAM’s grassroots coordinator Gökhan Özalp, helped TACAM to have a successful year in terms of advocacy and grassroots activities. Mr. Bek said that numerous advocacy meetings that were held with various elected officials and 4 Turkish Republic Day proclamations that TACAM received were the proof of their grassroots success. Mr. Bek reminded that TACAM engaged with various other ethnic communities in 2010, such as the American Jewish Committee and was going to continue collaborating with other ethnic communities in 2011.
Community leaders and businessmen who participated the gathering, indicated how delighted they were to see a Lebenase – Turkish collaboration and were looking forward to future events.
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