Mediterranean News Agency Leaders Call for Stronger Intercultural Dialogue

News agency chiefs gathered in Barcelona from 15 to 17 November 2006 for the 15th General Assembly of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN), placing intercultural dialogue at the center of discussions.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos addressed the assembly, emphasizing the responsibility news agencies carry in fostering peace and mutual understanding across the Mediterranean.

Anadolu Agency Executive Board Chairman and Director General Dr. Hilmi Bengi urged member agencies to rally around shared goals, describing the Mediterranean as a body of water that should unite rather than divide. He expressed support for the Alliance of Civilizations initiative jointly championed by the leaders of Türkiye and Spain.

Bengi specifically endorsed two regional media projects: ANSAMED, operated by Italian agency ANSA, and the Arab-language service run by Spanish agency EFE, citing both as examples of cooperation aligned with AMAN's collective aims.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.