Lately many news appear on the media about the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) bidding and Europa Race Project mostly on a negative basis and directly or indirectly targeting the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.

Dear Press Member,

Lately many news appear on the media about the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) bidding and Europa Race Project mostly on a negative basis and directly or indirectly targeting the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.

We deem it most necessary to clarify the allegations taking place in those news as we take it a responsibility for Istanbul and its title ‘European Capital of Culture 2010’. Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency has assumed the mission of coordinating the efforts to prepare Istanbul for the European Capital of Culture process and to this effect we strongly believe that it’s not only a duty to the administrators of the agency but also a duty for all responsible citizens of the country to prevent further unjust deterioration of the title ‘European Capital of Culture’

Therefore we incline to inform not only the relevant media members but all public on these two issues.

1. Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) Bidding Process

Atatürk Cultural Center AKM is evidently one of the most precious, most popular locations of culture and arts; and a symbol for our city. It is a commonly agreed fact that due to these qualities AKM is a building that requires protection; and to this end even the tiniest alteration on the building should require the consent and approval of relevant bodies and organizations.

Within this frame AKM should go through not a wrecking or a restoration but a renovation of which the limits and frames are defined very clearly.

In order to fulfill this requirement a bidding process was initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and a bidding specifications were prepared in due course and our Agency was designated to run the issue. Bidding specifications were examined in the Executive Board of our Agency and a Bidding Announcement –anonymously accepted by our members of the Executive Board- was published on the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency website on 5 May 2009. In order to attain a more competitive environment an ad was delivered to the newspapers and bidders were invited to examine the bidding specifications on our website.

There are two particular points to be articulated here. The first is the determination of our Executive Board to ensure maximum participation to the bidding. The second point is that no decision on the bidding process was taken by the personal initiative of any Board members of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency employee. Entire process and all relevant decisions are taken commonly by the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.

The bidding was realized on 29 June 2009 with a total of 15 participants and the principles of transparency and terms of the relevant Bidding Law were fully observed. Upon the opening of closed envelopes in front of all attended and reading of the bids all aloud, technical examinations were concluded and Özsoy İnşaat Turizm A.Ş was served of the decision on 22 July 2009.

During the following process, as already known to the public who keeps up with the press, the case of execution halt –filed by the Union of Laborers of Culture, Arts, and Tourism- was concluded. However our Agency was not anyhow officially informed or served neither about this case nor about the Execution Halt all along the bidding process. Therefore the AKM bidding process was finalized within Agency regulations and in compliance with transparency principles. Aforementioned court decree for Execution Halt was delivered to our Agency on 27 July 2009. Subsequently there was no legal obligation to hinder the informing the winning bidder of the bidding result as of 22 July 2009.

As the situation is as such, some news and comments taking place on the media purport as if our Agency was in an illegal effort or going against the applicable law. Although 15 bidders got to bid and each and every bidding envelop was opened in front of the audience and read aloud; allegations claiming that “some certain corporations were pointed out to win” are absolutely making non-sense. And claiming that “the decisions made by the whole Executive Members were in fact made only by some certain members” is a serious accusation which must be proven by the claimers.

As the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency we maintain our belief that the great Turkish justice will rule out righteously and justfully on the execution halt of work to be done on the Atatürk Cultural Center and the relevant process will resume promptly. What makes us wonder most is the malicious intentions of those who stand against such an eminent place could get a modern face it has long deserved.

2. Europa Race process

Europa Race, as clearly explained on news media, is a project planned under many institutions’ sponsorship including our Agency and central administrations of various cities.

Our Executive Board and Budget Commission decided to support Europa Race for EUR 500.000 by resolution no.2009/138 as of 9 May 2009 although the budget of our Agency was cut up- to 70% for 2009. It should be noted that Europa Race has got supports from many public organization and private sector.

This resolution was served to Mr. Cumali Varer the Project owner and an agreement was signed with Mr. Varer on 9 June 2009 certifying the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency be the main sponsor of the Project in return for EUR 500.000. Aforementioned and duly signed agreement also regulates the process for payment of EUR 500.000 and set conditions for its expenditures. The Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency will hold its responsibilities as long as mentioned conditions are met.

As the situation as such, some news appearing on the media the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency is presented as if it is the only supporter of the Project. Some possible funding deficiency problem of Project owners might seem as if the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency has got resource problems. Such acase does not reflect the facts.

Supporting not only one single project but hundreds of projects the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency keeps on its constructive efforts despite many challenges. It is also true that some projects were denied because of technical insufficiencies and some projects could be supported only on a limited budget.

It has been experienced with grief that some Project owners whose projects were denied or could not get the full support they had demanded later turned against our Agency in ways well beyond civic manners, as to attempt pressure on the Agency through media manipulations by misinforming them about the contents, purposes and financial structures of the projects which are supported by our Agency.

We trace similar patterns in the news about Europa Race but we would like to state that we will keep on supporting this Project as long as previously agreed conditions are met.

As we have stated at the beginning of this press release our concern is not only about protecting the esteem of our Agency or our employees but also caring about the importance of the title ‘Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture’. Success or failure will be of Istanbul’s, of Turkey’s consequently of ours all. Therefore we deem it an indispensable responsibility to embrace comments, suggestions and critics from all walks of life; likewise we expect the same responsibility from all concerned segments and members of the society including you dearest members of the media.

We would like to remind you once again of our constructive approach to maintain open, transparent and continuous contact with you for responding your questions and considering your suggestions and criticisms and to thank you for your concern.

Respectfully Yours,

Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency