Faruk Taban, President of the Turkic American Alliance, attended the 2013 Winter Conference of the National Association of Secretaries of State. This event was held on January 26, 2013 at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC. The purpose of the conference was to bring together government and industry leaders, showcase the initiatives of the Secretary of State and highlight the latest state and federal policy developments.
Dr. Taban gave a talk at the NASS International Relations Committee about the activities of TAA and promoted the annual cultural trips to Turkey. Around 40 people, 25 of whom-Secretaries of States, attended the meeting. He urged the Secretaries to go on such cultural trip through one of the TAA’s regional member federations. He also privately conversed with some of the Secretaries before and after his presentation. The Secretary of State for Maryland, John P. McDonough, had already been on one such trip in 2010 at the invitation of MAFTAA’s Maryland Cultural Center (MARTI), and he enthusiastically recommended the experience to the other Secretaries in attendance. Refreshments at the Conference were provided by MAFTAA.
