Dear Colleagues and Friends,
I am honored to have the opportunity of hosting the 3rd International Levantine Forum “Advances in Neurological Surgery” , which is being realized with the great contributions of outstanding worldwide masters in the field of neurosurgery.

Levantine is a term referred to the Mediterranean people living to the east of Europe and is been highlighted by the saying. “Sun rises from the Levant”. And thus have a very special meaning fort he countries having a coast to the Mediterranean Sea.

As you may know the 1st International Levantine Forum “Advances in Neurological Surgery” had been organized in Bari – Italy under the presidency of Professor Antonio de Tommasi and the 2nd International Levantine Forum “Advances in Neurological Surgery” had been organized in Antalya – Turkey under the the presidency of myself.

Now, it is a great honour and pleasure for me to announce that the third forum will be held at Sheraton Hotel Convention Center in Çeşme, Izmir, Turkiye on November 15-18, 2012 under the the presidency of myself.

The venue of the forum, Çeşme is one of the most beautiful towns of Izmir with its thermal spa’s, natural and historical properties. Sheraton Çeşme Resort hotel is a luxury hotel and congress center, located on the seaside of Çeşme.

I enthusiastically invite you to join 3rd International Levantine Forum “Advances in Neurological Surgery”, which is certain to be tremendous meeting in an outstanding venue.

We’ll be delighted with your presence.

Cordially,

Dear Colleagues,
The Levantine Forum on neurological surgery once again appears on the horizon! After the previous successful meetings we look forward to seeing our international colleagues again, sharing the latest updates in neurosurgery whilst enjoying the warm Mediterranean hospitable environment.

Levantine is a term from the Mediterranean people living to the east of Europe, highlighted by the saying, “Sun rises from the Levant”. In this forum the “Sun from the Levant” will illuminate all of neurosurgical surgery. Prof. Timurkaynak and his team have prepared an outstanding program entitled “Advances in Neurological Surgery”. The great contribution of Turkish Neurosurgeons to our specialty makes Turkey a most appropriate site for this forum. We're especially grateful to Professor Timurkaynak for planning and developing this outstanding program. The Forum will be held at Sheraton Çeşme Hotel where is one of the most beautiful towns of Izmir with its thermal spa’s, natural and historical properties.

The scientific program will consist of the new developments in surgical techniques and microsurgical anatomy brought to you by an all-star team of international speakers. As we have seen during our past gatherings, the Levantine Forum offers a great platform for discussions and knowledge exchange. We extend our sincere appreciation to our invited speakers and meeting participants who will come from around the world. This Forum is designed to improve our surgery and surgical techniques, and the care of patients. During 4-day Forum there will be extensive discussions of the advances in surgery of the skull base, cerebrum, cerebellum, ventricular system, posterior fossa, spine, orbit, sella and peripheral nerves. All of the speakers have made significant contributions to perfecting the surgery of these areas. The program is designed to bring you an educational advantage whilst catching up with old friends and making new ones in a wonderful atmosphere.

Dr. Rhoton's one of the early projects was done with Prof. Timurkaynak. It has been most gratifying to watch his emergence as an academic leader in Turkey and worldwide. The focus of this forum will be to make the delicate, awesome and fateful work of the neurosurgeon more accurate, gentle and safe.

We cordially invite you to join us in the ‘Levant’ for an inspiring meeting!

Prof. Albert Rhoton Jr., MD Honorary President of the 3rd International Levantine Forum	Prof. Evandro De Oliveira, MD Honorary President of the 3rd International Levantine Forum	Prof. Toshio Matsushima, MD Honorary President of the 3rd International Levantine Forum

My dear colleagues and friends,

It is a great pleasure and honour for me as Founder President of the Levantine Forum to extend a warm and friendly invitation to the Third Levantine Forum to be held in the breathtaking natural cornice of the spectacular Sheraton Hotel Convention Center in Çeşme, Izmir, Turkiye.

The First Levantine Forum was hosted in Bari Italy and the Second Levantine Forum was hosted in Kemer, Antalya, Turkiye had a double target; to establish and solder a new scientific and cultural link between Eastern and Western Neurosurgery and give residents and young neurosurgeons highly specialized lectures held by an impressive international Faculty in an atmosphere full of friendship and brotherhood.

The Third levantine Forum represents a grand occasion to continue the scientific and cultural collaboration among neurosurgeons worldwide and, in particular, to renew the brotherly handshakes between Eastern and Western Neurosurgical Schools.

The Forum will certainly be an exciting educational event rich in meticulously organized scientific, cultural and social programmes that everyone will surely enjoy.

Dear friends, we are pleased to invite you to this outstanding international meeting which promises to be enlightening and memorable for all participants.

I am looking forward to embracing old and new friends in Çeşme, Izmir, Turkiye.
Welcome to the Third Levantine Forum.

Prof. Antonio De Tommasi, MD
Founder President of the International Levantine Forum