Claim: 'Fahrettin Altun's new role has been determined'

The weekly newsletter Turkey in Depth, citing diplomatic sources, reported that Fahrettin Altun is expected to be Turkey's new ambassador to the Vatican. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, who spoke to the publication and was described as being authorized on the matter, did not explicitly deny the claim that approval had been requested from the Vatican for Altun's appointment.

Fahrettin Altun was appointed as the first head of the Directorate of Communications, which was established by a Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette dated July 24, 2018, and numbered 30488. The directorate, created following the abolition of the Directorate General of Press and Information, began operating as a structure affiliated with the Presidency in the fields of public diplomacy and strategic communication.

Before being appointed to the Directorate of Communications, Altun served as the General Coordinator of the SETA Foundation. Altun, who handed over this position to Burhanettin Duran, later left his position at the Directorate of Communications to Duran as well.

Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran, the General Coordinator of the SETA Foundation—which made headlines in 2019 with a report that drew criticism for "profiling journalists"—had previously served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

News Source: 12punto