The UPU today held a meeting with officials from Turkey to discuss the circumstances surrounding the hosting of the 26th UPU Congress in the light of the prevailing security concerns in Istanbul.
The meeting was convened by Director General Bishar Hussein in liaison with Chairman Faleh Al-Naemi of the UPU Council of Administration and attended by Deputy Director General Pascal Clivaz, and senior officials from the International Bureau.
The Turkish team was led by Mehmet Ferden Carikci, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Turkey to United Nations Organizations in Geneva. In attendance was also the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of PTT Corporation Kenan Bozgeyik, among other senior Turkish officials.
The meeting discussed the security situation in Turkey as reported by the Turkish authorities and also the advisory report from the United Nations. The Turkish team detailed the measures that have been put in place to secure Congress participants and delegates during the conference, as well as special arrangements for arrival and departure from Istanbul.
The Turkish authorities requested more time for further consultations up to August 8, 2016, before a final decision is taken.
Chairman Al-Naemi said it was the responsibility of all concerned to ensure the UPU Congress is held in a secure atmosphere, where all delegates and participants feel safe.
The UPU International Bureau will provide further updates once the consultations have been concluded.