Excellencies, Dear Colleagues,
Distinguished Guests,

Today, we are celebrating the 98th anniversary of the Proclamation of our Republic.

My wife and I would like to express our sincere thanks to you all for being with us today.

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all, particularly after we could not host a reception for our National Day last year due to COVID-19. As we did not know about the new wave of Covid, we could not send our invitations earlier. Therefore your participation is very valuable.

As we are gradually leaving behind the initial critical phases of this pandemic, the transition to normal economy will be the next biggest challenge for us all.

As a country strategically located among the international transport routes, we pay utmost importance to providing the best conditions for the continuation of the global supply chain and underline a strong international cooperation.

As the pandemic unfolded, we provided medical support, including vaccines to 159 countries and 12 international organizations. Meanwhile, extensive research is carried out on a national vaccine.

Our government has strived successfully for a balance between public health and maintaining the functioning of the economy.



Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Turkish Grand National Assembly proclaimed the Republic of Turkey 98 years ago on this day.

Today, 98 years later we stand anchored firmly in our founding principles and among the prominent powers of the world.

Building on our strong tradition of foreign policy, we pursue a pro-active and multi-dimensional foreign policy in our region and beyond.

Our policy employs a wide spectrum of peaceful means including humanitarian aid, participation in peacekeeping operations, contribution to the resolution of disputes, post-conflict reconciliation and reconstruction efforts.

We have become a leading actor in humanitarian diplomacy. Our international humanitarian assistance made us the world’s “most generous” humanitarian donor between 2017 and 2019, three years in a row.

With over 5 million externally displaced people, Turkey is the biggest host country according to the UNHCR’s figures.

The “open door policy” we followed in the Syrian crisis, and the support we have given to the millions of displaced persons who sought shelter in Turkey, has been recognized by the international community.

We underline that, in recent years it has become more and more apparent that, when it comes to common challenges, such as international terrorism, poverty, climate change or the refugee crisis, solutions have to be found based on international cooperation.

As always, Turkey is as a factor for stability in the region and a strategically important actor, contributing to the security of Europe and its neighbourhood.

Against all odds, accession to the EU continues to remain a strategic priority for Turkey. Although we are committed to the reform process, we expect the EU to honour its commitments and take into account the new challenges that we are facing. Hence, we wish to see meaningful and concrete steps from the EU side.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At this point I would like to say a few words on today’s venue. The Yunus Emre Cultural Institute is currently hosting the exhibition of Sephardic artists living in Turkey.

The exhibition includes various types of art such as paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photography.

The curator, the Istanbul-born artist Terry Katalan, named the exhibition as "Traces of multicultural historical heritage". It reflects the how the Sephardi's, coming from the Iberian Peninsula, where embraced by and settled in the Ottoman Empire.

Also, UNESCO designated this year as the "Yunus Emre" year, commemorating the 700th anniversary of Yunus Emre's death. So, the venue makes a tribute to Yunus Emre's universal messages as well. The Turkish folk poet and Sufi mystic, has poems and quotes. One famous line is : “yaradılanı severiz yaradandan ötürü” which means “love all that is created for the love for the creator”.

I am thankful to the Yunus Emre Culture Institute for increasing the knowledge of Turkey in the Netherlands.


Dear guests,

It has been three years since I assumed my duties as the Ambassador of Turkey in The Netherlands. But, the establishment of diplomatic relations dates back more than 400 years. It is a privilege to stand on this strong history.

I should also express my sincere thanks for the Dutch hospitality. I firmly believe that our friendship and cooperation will grow stronger and deeper in the period ahead.

Our bilateral relations have potential to improve further. Our trade volume and mutual investments grow day by day. Our aim is to increase our trade and economic relations in the period ahead.

One of the most important aspects of our deep-rooted relations is the Turkish - Dutch Community living in the Netherlands as well in Turkey. The almost 500 thousand strong community, half of whom are already Dutch citizens, constitute a strong bond between our two countries.

Turks and Dutch citizens of Turkish origin are participating in every aspect of Dutch society. Myself and our three Consul Generals, who are also present tonight, have had the opportunity to meet with extraordinary personalities and success stories in this Community. We are proud of their diverse and sustained achievements, including their contribution to the Dutch economy.

We enjoy an open, friendly and constructive political dialogue in our bilateral relations. I am pleased to say that high-level contacts and visits have re-started recently. We hope to keep the momentum of physical reciprocal visits, including the Wittenburg Conference, the platform of dialogue lead by the respective Foreign Ministries.

I should also mention that being accredited to the international organizations which the Hague is hosting, our Embassy also enjoys excellent relations within the context of our multi-lateral commitments and cooperation.

As we steer towards celebrating the centennial anniversary of our Republic in 2023, we are proud of what we have achieved since 1923 and we are enthusiastic and committed to robustly implement our national, enterprising and humanitarian foreign policy on the field as well as at the table.

On this occasion, we commemorate with deep gratitude the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in our Independence Struggle and the establishment of our Republic.

We remember with deep respect and gratitude our fallen heroes and war veterans.

Once again, my wife and I would like to welcome and thank you all for honouring us with your presence here today.