In an official statement by Dunar Hızal from the Istanbul European Capital of Culture Agency it was stated that Naipaul's invitation had been "politicized" by the Turkish media. "Therefore the ultimate goal of the event and VS Naipaul's contribution to it as an author were overshadowed. "For this reason, as a result of compromise between the organizers of the European Writers' Parliament and VS Naipaul, the author has withdrawn his participation," he added.