Besides many features reflecting the characteristics of Turkish culture and leaders, the 2015 G20 Summit held in Turkey's southern province on Antalya included another piece applied for the first time in a G20 summit.
In almost all international meetings and previous G20 summits, little flags of countries are laid on the ground to mark the spots for leaders in collective "family" photo shoots.
Respect for the flag, regardless of affiliation, is prominent in Turkish culture, and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used to pick up the Turkish flag put it in his pocket in such photo shoots, reflecting his sensitivity on the issue. In this image, Erdoğan is seen picking up the Turkish flag in G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 25, 2009.
In a visit to Turkmenistan on November 7, 2014, Erdoğan picked up both the Turkish and Turkmen flags from the ground before a ceremony to greet him by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow in Oguzkhan Presidential Palace, which had been placed to mark the spots for both presidents to stand, and put them in his pockets.
