‘The world heritage committee is watching very closely what is happening, but we are not a punishment squad,’ İrina Bokova says. The Turkish government’s infrastructure and restoration projects are worrying civil society representatives in the country, concerned that Istanbul’s historic sites could be removed from UNESCO’s world heritage list. We have a long relations Turkey; it is a founding member. We have relations in practically all areas; for instance, with universities I just launched a chair in Turkey. The country has 13 sites on the world heritage list, and it has 12 elements on the intangible heritage list. Turkey has hosted many of our meetings, and we work with the “Alliance of Civilizations” - a joint Turkish Spanish initiative. I want to strengthen all this.

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