The Austrian Economics Center (AEC), in cooperation with over 60 leading think-tanks and universities across Europe and the Caucasus, and in association with international partners such as the Liberty Fund, Global Philanthropic Trust, FreedomWorks, European Students for Liberty, Ruefa and the F.A. v. Hayek Institut, are proud to present the 7th Annual Free Market Road Show, which tours from March 26th to May 12th through 30 capitals in Europe and Caucasus – from Scandinavia to Turkey, from Spain to the Ukraine.

The 2014 Free Market Road Show will bring together leading business people, outstanding scholars and students, opinion leaders, policy experts, elected officials, diplomats and other interested parties from across Europe to discuss the Future of Europe in the context of the European elections that are ahead. Panel discussions at each conference stop will consider the current Euro-zone crisis, explore what kind of Europe people want, examine the ‘conundrum’ in which the European Union finds itself in and discuss ways to turn the current crisis into an opportunity.

The delegates can expect an exciting line up of speakers that will not only debate different European topics but also consider local characteristics that all lead to one central question:

Is the future of Europe at stake?

- See more at: http://freemarket-rs.com/about/#sthash.o9ZYQDkt.dpuf

2014 Istanbul program will focus on the political and economic freedoms in Turkey and in Europe with regards to pluralism and free competition. The speakers will analyze the challenges and opportunities for supporters of individual liberty, free markets and rule of law.

Program

10.30 – 11.00 Opening Remarks

- Rasit Sarıkaya, Lawyer, Board Member of ALT
- Dr. Hans-Georg Fleck, Head of Turkey Office, FNF
- Dr. Barbara Kolm, Director, Austrian Economics Center

11.00 – 13.00  I. Session   

Where is Turkey and Europe on pluralism, and free markets?

Chair: Prof. Dr. Haluk Alkan,  Marmara University Faculty of Communications

Speakers:

Prof. Dr. Ünsal Ban, Rector, University of Turkish Aeronautical Association

John Fund, Columnist, Wall Street Journal

Ünsal Cetin, Economist, Senior Fellow of ALT

Federico Fernandez, President, Fundacion Bases, Senior Research Fellow, Austrian Economics Center

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch Break

14.00 – 16.00   II. Session
Challenges, Promises and Policy Recommendations

Chair: Dr. Mustafa Yasar, Chairman, Yegenler Group

Speakers:

Dr. Barbara Kolm, Director, Austrian Economics Center

Prof. Dr. Atilla Yayla, Istanbul Commerce University, Columnist, Yeni Safak daily

Gia Jandieri, Co-Founder, New Economic School of Georgia

Dr. Aykut Ekinci, Economist, Development Bank of Turkey

Dr. Krassen Stanchev, Institute for Market Economy, Bulgaria
 
16.00 – 16.30 Closing

*Simultaneous translation between English-Turkish will be provided